Joan Avery Mealey

Joan Avery Mealey, age 91, of Berlin, MD, formerly of Valley Forge, PA, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on September 2, 2026. Born in Wilmington, she was the daughter of the late Helen (Appleton) and William H. Avery. She spent her childhood in Ridley Park, PA, and graduated from Ridley Park High School. From an early age, she was loved and a true friend to many people with friendships that lasted her lifetime.

She attended Penn State University and then married her late husband, Colonel John “Jack” Mealey, Jr. upon his graduation from the University of Delaware. Having met at the age of 16, Joan and Jack were married for 68 years, until his passing in 2025.

As a military wife, Joan traveled with her husband and children to many army posts, including Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, Bad Kreuznach, Germany, Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Joan devoted her life to supporting her family and making a home at each posting. Upon Jack’s retirement, they moved to Pennsylvania and settled in Valley Forge. She loved the area and was a longtime member of the Covered Bridge Garden Club.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Jack; her brother and sister-in-law, William H. and Jane Avery, Jr.; and her son-in-law, Robert Cassagnol. She is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Karen Cassagnol, Elizabeth Dorsey, Margaret and Mark Hammond, Christine Martindale, and Jacquelyn and Joseph Alfonsi; her grandchildren, Meaghan (Ryan), Emmy (Joe), Michael, John, Avery and Leila; her great-grandchildren, Remy, Reese and Ryan Jr.

The visitation will be held at the MEALEY FUNERAL HOME, 2509 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026, with a funeral service following at 11am. Burial will be held beside her husband at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Wounded Warriors Project.