Joan Adams

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Joan Adams, who died on December 28 after a short battle with pneumonia and other complications.

Joan was born on November 26, 1959 in Philadelphia to Mary and John Horst. After graduating from Ryan High School for Girls in 1977, she worked in Center City and married her high school sweetheart, Fran Adams, in 1980.

Joan was fearless and determined when she set her mind to a goal. When she decided to go back to school to get her bachelor’s degree in her 40’s, an admissions counselor at Temple University told her, “You're really too old to do this.” Joan got into the program anyway, graduating with a degree in Exercise Science. She was first in her kickboxing class (despite being the oldest student), earned honors, and was one of three students out of 7,000 highlighted by the Provost in his graduation speech.

She opened and ran her own pilates studio for several years. When she discovered the Egoscue Method, a system of postural alignment, she knew she had found her calling. Passionate about helping people get out of pain, she partnered with her husband Fran to open Egoscue of Philadelphia in 2014, where her daughter Brittany also works.

Joan loved her family, including her husband, two daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren, as well as her siblings and extended family. She enjoyed racing with her dragon boat team, spending time in Ocean City, seeing live theater, and knitting.

Joan is predeceased by her parents, Mary and John Horst; her brother-in-law Stephen “Mo” Kowalczyk; her cousin Mary Adams; her nephew Anthony DePalma; her treasured aunt Claire and uncle Ken Meloche; and other beloved relatives and friends.

Joan is survived by her husband of 43 years, Fran; her siblings, Mary Anne Kowalczyk, Terrence Horst (Patty), and Karen DePalma; her daughters Brooke Adams Law (Simeon) and Brittany Adams Recupero (Paul); grandchildren Elijah and Jacqueline; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Joan’s family is deeply grateful for the care and sensitivity shown by the staff of Abington Hospital, most especially her ICU nurses.

The funeral service will be held at St. Albert the Great (212 Welsh Rd, Huntingdon Valley, PA) on Friday, January 5, 2024 with a viewing from 9:30-11:30am and a Mass at 11:30am. Lunch to follow for family and close friends. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Travis Manion Foundation (https://www.travismanion.org/) would be greatly appreciated.