Joan Dwork

Joan Dwork (nee Plavnick), of Pikesville, Maryland, passed away on Thursday, July 31st, 2025, at the age of 89. She is survived by her loving sons, Stephen (Ilene) Devorah, and Robert Dwork; her dear brother, Paul Plavnick; and her cherished grandchildren, Shira Devorah, Tamar (Zack) Rosen, Ari (Hale) Devorah, Aryeh Isaacs. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Larry Dwork; her dear parents, Sue and Max Plavnick; and her sister-in-law, Martina Plavnick.

Joan earned her journalism degree from the University of Missouri and broke new ground as the first woman hired for a broadcast TV news position in Kansas City. She later served as a full-time journalist and editor for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. After taking time off to raise her children, she began a second career as the primary legal secretary at a local law office, a position she held with dedication for over 20 years. In retirement, Joan remained active in her community by running the Judaica gift shop at Temple B’nai Yehuda and serving as its bookkeeper. A lifelong lover of animals and sports, she especially enjoyed cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs. Her greatest joy, however, was spending time with her grandchildren, to whom she passed down her love of knitting and the game of bridge.

Services at Sol Levinson's Chapel, 8900 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208, on Monday, August 4th, 2025, at 12 PM. Interment Rose Hill Cemetery - Kansas City, MO. Please omit flowers. Contributions in her memory may be sent to the animal rescue of your choice. Please check back for Shiva information.