Joan D'Ette Preston

Joan D’Ette (Pike) Preston

July 26, 1938 – May 4, 2025

Joan Preston of Huntsville, AL passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 4th, 2025 at the age of 86.

Joan was born in Grant Park, IL, to Robert and Mary Lou Pike, where she lived until relocating to Huntsville in 1986.

Joan was married to Maurice “Dean” Preston for 62 years before he proceeded her in death in 2018. It was love at first sight when Dean met Joan while on R&R from the Air Force. He had traveled to Grant Park with a buddy and ate at the diner where she was working. After he finished his tour-of-duty, he returned to marry her. Together they raised two daughters.

She retired from Cross My Heart, Inc., after 16 years of service, where she worked as a production supervisor. She recruited everyone she knew (old, young, no one was safe) to do “thread cards” for kits.

“Nana” received her greatest joy from spoiling her grandkids. Her daughters were always encouraged to drop off the grandkids, with no notice necessary. If you ever left her house hungry, it was your own fault.

She was survived by one sister, Ruth Gericke, two daughters, Deana Aumalis (Ansis Aumalis) and Jodi Lemley (LTC James Lemley), nine grandchildren (Lin Aumalis, Silvie Aumalis, Sabrina Swistek, Samantha Swistek, Molly Swistek, Andrew Lemley, Michael Lemley, Kathryn Lemley, and Erin Lemley), and three great-grandchildren (Anthony, Asher, and Natalie Lemley).

She was preceded in death by her parents and seven siblings (Josephine Rasmussen, Mary Magdalene Pike, PFC Willard Pike, CSM Victor Pike, Sylvia Kretz, Garnett Pike, and Patricia Meyer).

A graveside service is planned for Saturday, May 10th at 2:00 pm in the Garden of Memories at Huntsville Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her honor to Make a Way Foundation in Athens, AL.