Joan Baxt's Obituary
Joan Patricia Valentine Baxt (née Schwartz) passed away after a brief illness in her home in Hollywood, Florida on Sunday, August 21st. Her life of nearly 85 years was filled with love of family, friends, art, music, culture, design and a desire to bring more beauty and justice to those she could help.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Joan attended Syracuse University where she met her first husband, Bill Valentine. After living in New Jersey and New York, they raised their family in Potomac, MD. When not traveling to far-off places or visiting grandchildren, Joan and her beloved second husband, Milton Baxt, who proceeded her in death in 2002, lived in Bethesda, Md and Hollywood Florida. Joan also had several years with her loving companion, Morton Leventhal and spent the last ten years in Hollywood, FL.
She will be remembered as a passionate supporter of the arts, having served on the Board of Governors of the Ft. Lauderdale Art Museum, the Board of Trustees of the Miami City Ballet and Board of Directors of Nova Southeastern University Alvin Sherman Library, (Circle of Friends). She will also be remembered for the creation of special ballet and arts scholarships there and for the delicious cookies she baked and brought to board meetings.
Milton and Joan Baxt were also major contemporary glass art collectors, As a founding member of the Florida Glass Art Alliance in the 1990's, she was president of the group until 2012. Joan also served on the national level as president of the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass from 2001-2003 and in various other board capacities. In 2015 Joan was honored by the AACG as a "Fellows Circle Member," which recognized Joan as being "supportive and instrumental in making major contributions in the development of the AACG."
Joan's greatest legacy is her love of family and her generosity; in particular to causes that benefit children. Beloved daughter of Carl and Eve Schwartz, sister of the late Martin Schwartz, Joan is survived by her children Leslie Bishop (William), David Valentine, and Jenifer Valentine (Schermer). She is also survived by her adored grandchildren Carl Ziegler (Katarina), Jonathan Ziegler, Ryan Valentine, Rebecca Valentine, Zachary Schermer, Sydney Schermer, Rachael Schermer, Gabriela Schermer and her loved to the moon and back great-grandsons Miro and Lucian Ziegler. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, well-loved nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Her commitment to causes that help children is evidenced in her deep support of JAFCO and No Kid Hungry and the special funds she created through those organizations.
A private family celebration of Joan's life and legacy will be held in Baltimore, MD.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following:
JAFCO
Two Ziegler Boys Camp Scholarship Fund
4200 N. University Dr., Sunrise, FL 33351
954 749-7230 jafco.org
No Kid Hungry/ Share Our Strength
Mooma's Meals
1030 15th St., NW, Suite 1100W
Washington, D.C.. 20005
202 715-1637 www.nokidhungry.org/joanbaxt
Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass
#327, 11700 Preston rd., Ste. 660
Dallas, TX 75230
214 890-0029. contemptglass.org
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