After an extended illness and with family at her side, Joan Platz passed away on November 9, 2024, at Edgewood Summit.  The daughter of George and Catherine Van Valkenburg, she was born in Bronxville, New York, and grew up in Larchmont, New York.

She is survived by a daughter, Cynthia Topp, and her husband Charles, of Charleston; by three sons: Kevin Platz of Cologne, Germany, Ted Platz, III of Newport R.I., and Stephen Platz and his wife, Melissa Doty, of Charleston; and by four grandchildren: Graham, Mary Catherine, and Elizabeth Platz, and Ronald Topp, all of Charleston.

Joan received her B.A. degree from Marymount College (Manhattan) in 1954.  She and her husband, Ted, came to Charleston with their family in 1977.  Within a few years, she joined the University of Charleston staff, serving as Budget Director, Director of Admissions, and Assistant to the President, before retiring.  She subsequently joined the staff at Sunrise Museum, serving as Director of Development.  She was a member of the Kanawha Garden Club and the Belmont Garden Club.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Theodore A. Platz, Jr., and her siblings: George Van Valkenburg, Anne Fletcher, Arlene Van Valkenburg, and John Van Valkenburg.

A Service to Honor the Life of Joan will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, with Father Rayappa Kurakula officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Charleston. Family and friends may visit one hour prior to the service.

The Platz family extends a heartfelt thanks to the staff at Edgewood Summit and Hospice of Charleston.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Sacred Heart Needy Student Fund. (https://giving.parishsoft.com/app/giving/shccwv)

Memories of Joan may be shared by visiting http://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.