Joan Willwerth
Joan M. Willwerth
June 27, 1940 – July 24, 2025
Joan M. Willwerth, 85, of Edgewater, Florida, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2025. Born on June 27, 1940, at Frisbee Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New Hampshire, Joan lived a life filled with love, dedication, and an unwavering passion for helping others achieve wellness and vitality.
Joan graduated from Dover High School in 1959 and went on to pursue her calling in health and fitness through specialized training at Bonnie Prudden Myotherapy and exercise therapy, as well as the New Hampshire School of Therapeutic Arts for massage. This education launched what would become her beloved 40-year career in fitness instruction, myotherapy, and massage therapy.
Her expertise and dedication in water aerobics earned her the remarkable distinction of World Water Aerobic Champion for three consecutive years. Joan shared her passion for fitness and wellness by teaching water exercise at the Port Orange YMCA and Daytona Beach Community College for 20 years, touching countless lives through her enthusiastic instruction and caring approach.
In 1981, Joan married Lawrence Willwerth, and together they created a beautiful, blended family. Joan embraced her role as both mother and stepmother with equal love and devotion, welcoming stepchildren, step-grandchildren, and step-great-grandchildren into her heart as her own.
Joan was a devoted member of the Edgewater Alliance Church alongside her husband Lawrence, where their faith provided strength and community throughout their lives together.
Joan is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Lawrence Willwerth; her children Thomas Carroll, Peter Carroll, Diane Dahi, and James Carroll; daughters-in-law Kathy Carroll and Melanie Carroll; son-in-law Jude Dahi; grandchildren Bryan Carroll, Lauren Carroll, Alison Carroll, Sophia Carroll, Jazmine Dahi, and Jaiden Dahi; as well as her cherished stepchildren, step-grandchildren, and step-great-grandchildren.
Joan’s legacy lives on through the countless individuals whose lives she enriched through her teaching, healing touch, and boundless enthusiasm for life. Her dedication to helping others achieve physical wellness was matched only by her commitment to her family and faith.
Celebration of Life Services:
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 3, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Club Rio at the Hacienda Del Rio in Edgewater, Florida. Please stop by anytime for a casual gathering to celebrate Joan’s life.
A second Celebration of Life will be held in New Hampshire in the fall.