Joan Averill Larson, born March 30, 1921, passed peacefully September 12, 2018 in the company of her sons, Gordon and Paul Larson, after a final, short battle with a brain tumor. She is survived by her sons, her daughter-in-law Wendy, five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, sister, extended family, and friends. Joan was born in Launcherley, Somerset, England to Richard James Porch and Ann Porch (née Wall), where she grew up with her two sisters, Beryl and Edna. As a young woman, she worked as a maternity nurse in London during the Blitz and then in Weston-Super-Mare, where she met and fell in love with an American G.I., Austen O. Larson Jr., who was stationed in England prior to D-Day during WWII. After the war, they married and moved to Andalusia, PA, having twin boys, Richard and Gordon. Then in 1952, they moved to Trevose, PA where Paul was born. In 1965, her father passed, and a year later, so did her mother. In 1971, her husband died suddenly from a heart attack while attending a Flyers game. Joan persevered, working full time at Harvest House Restaurant subsidiary of Woolworth’s to support herself and her youngest son, Paul, until the store closed. Joan and Paul then supported one another and tended the family home. Always resourceful, Joan loved tending her garden, knitting, and doing needlepoint for family and friends. Joan survived a bout of breast cancer in the 1990s, but lost her eldest son, Richard to cancer, in 2008. Despite these struggles, Joan never lost her curiosity and ability to laugh and share stories. She had a knack for remembering small details about others’ lives to strike up conversations and make them feel appreciated. As a member of the Oakford VFW Ladies Auxiliary, she volunteered at the Northeast Philadelphia VA Hospital helping veterans play cards and bingo to keep their spirits up. From the moment she set off for a new life in America up to her final days, she faced the world wonder, always willing to try new things, even learning how to use chopsticks at 94. Joan loved her family, her adopted country, and her community. Though the final struggle took its toll and required her to move to a nursing facility, she faced this challenge with the same grace she faced life. In her last weeks, she was able to be with her sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and found the energy to tease the boys about their beards, engage the girls about their futures, and reminisce about England and the smell of flowers. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation, Monday, October 8, 2018 from 10 to 11 AM at the Tomlinson Funeral Home, P.C., 2207 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, PA 19020, followed by her service at 11 AM. Interment Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Cancer Support Network (https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/ or 734 15th Street NW | Suite 300 | Washington, DC 20005). www.tomlinsonfh.com. Joan’s soft hands, firm embrace, and warm heart will be missed, but her love and sacrifice for others will continue to nourish those who remain.