Joan was responsible for bringing International Latin dancing to Australia at the end of World War 2. Many of her original students are now famous teachers themslves. Well into her 80's, she continued teaching private lessons and weekly classes.

Her classes were famous for their concentration on techinique. She would play a whole track, and have the students just dance solo the basic figure over and over, and she would walk around and offer advice to each student in turn.

She had two square two metre mirrors, one at front and one at the back of her studio. When she was demonstrating, she used these to keep an eagle eye on the students behind her, and woe betide anyone copying her incorrectly.

She was very much loved and admired by the many students that she taught over the years, and is remembered with admiration and respect by them and her many professional colleagues.

Rest in peace dear Joan.