Joan Ellen Simpson (Baker) Mcclenahan

Joan Ellen Simpson (Baker) McClenahan died January 20, 2021, from complications of a stroke. She was born March 27, 1943, to Rev. Thomas Porter Simpson (1907–1963) of Knoxville, TN, and Alice Anna Sunderland (1911–1995) of Cleveland, OH.

She was a 1961 graduate of Newark (OH) High School, Ohio State University (BS Social Welfare, 1965), and The University of Georgia, where she received her Masters in Social Work, 1980.

Joan was a lifelong Episcopalian and a member of her father's church in Newark, OH, Trinity Episcopal; St. Bede's Episcopal in Tucker, GA;  and All Saints Episcopal in Las Vegas, NV. She was proud to be an active member of “Daughters of Christ the King” for many years. She generously donated her time, talent, and treasure by serving on the Vestry committee, organized donations for a local middle school, a Food Pantry volunteer, and adopting needy families at Christmas.

She had a love of music, participated in choirs, school musicals, played organ and piano for church, and brought music into the home. She was supportive of any musical endeavors of her sons—even if it was much “louder and rockier” than she wanted!

She was the family archivist who shared cherished family history and documented gatherings.  Her journals are priceless.

A common picture of Joan would be her on the couch with a book. She read widely and voraciously—human psychology, biographies, religion, and fiction. She liked it all. During her last decade, she read the entire Bible every year.

Joan valued good conversation, and the more laughter the better. She delighted in her friends throughout all seasons of life. Pictures spanning her life are filled with her genuine, affectionate smile surrounded by friends and family.

Her life as a social worker kept her involved with people in need. Whether the need was economic, battling a chronic illness, or mourning the death of a loved one, she brought empathy and kindness. She had the ability to sympathize with all types of suffering, with the loss of her father while still in college, the loss of her own child as an infant, and her first husband (Brooke Baker) to cancer at 50. Social work was her calling.

She found another passion later in life. She and her husband John McClenahan (m. 1997) became “Doctor & Mrs. Magic”. They combined John’s lifelong love of magic, with Joan’s altruistic spirit, into the service of nearly 15 years in Las Vegas hospitals. They brought laughter and fun to children battling terminal illnesses (and their parents), with long hospital stays. Both received numerous awards for their service. In addition, Joan was a volunteer with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Force and helped Mr. Safe-T (John) teach safety subjects to children using magic as the media.

She adored her 5 grandchildren: Caroline, Will, Emily, Daniel, and Kirsten. She supported their education, passed on her passion of the piano, and just loved to spoil them!

She is preceded in death by son Thomas Price Baker (1969–1972) and first husband Joseph Brooke Baker (1941-1991).

Joan leaves behind her husband John McClenahan (1943- ) of Las Vegas (m. 1997), a brother Leslie Ernest Simpson (1939- ), and his daughter Alison Simpson, of Philadelphia, sons Daniel of Cary, NC (wife Anne, children Caroline, William, Emily, Daniel, Kirsten) and Peter of Charlotte, NC (wife Ellen), and a step-son, Jeff McClenahan of Temecula, CA.

Friends may call from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, March 26, at Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home, 179 Granville Street in Newark where a memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 27. Inurnment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada—8990 W Spanish Ridge Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89148, (702) 737-1919.

Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Joan and her family.