Joan Katz Spiegelman | Raleigh News & Observer

Mrs. Joan Katz Spiegelman, 81, died Thursday afternoon at Duke Raleigh Hospital.

Mrs. Spiegelman was born in Indianapolis, IN and raised in Chester, Ill. She was a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, MO. She was a very proud homemaker, wife, and mother, raising two wonderful children. She enjoyed playing Mahjong, as well as traveling with her husband, Mel. She was a member of Judea Reform Congregation.

Mrs. Spiegelman is survived by her husband of 57 years, Mel Spiegelman, of the home; daughter, Beth S. Burnett, and her husband, Bill, of Cary, NC; son, Bruce Spiegelman of Walnut Creek, CA; grandchildren, Amanda Spiegelman, Blair Burnett, Ryan Spiegleman; Sister, Sherril Mirkin, and her husband, Sam, of South Bend, IN; sister-in-law, Carol Bartfeld, of Santa Fe, NM; and daughter-in-law, Teresa Harms, of Houston, TX.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 9, 2015 10:30 A.M, at the Judea Reform Congregation, 1933 W. Cornwallis Road, Durham, NC. Officiating will be Rabbi Darryl Crystal.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: The Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina in Joan’s name. www.lungcanceriniiativenc.org

The Spiegelman family is under the care of Howerton & Bryan Funeral Home. Online condolences may be submitted at www.howertonbryan.com, select obituaries.