Joan Elizabeth Robb

Joan Elizabeth Robb, a radiant spirit and devoted matriarch, was born on March 13, 1939, in Scotland, where the echoes of her laughter and music first resonated. On July 18, 2025, surrounded by love, she transitioned to her next great adventure, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Raised in the picturesque surroundings of Edinburgh, Scotland. Joan embraced her early years with vibrant enthusiasm, earning the title of Miss Dalkeith. She ventured to the United States in 1963, with dreams that stretched as far as the horizon. Her journey took her through the bustling streets of New York and into the welcoming embrace of New Jersey where she graduated from Kathryn Gibbs school for women in business and started her family, before finally settling in North Carolina in 1977, where she became a beloved figure in Haywood County.

Joan also dedicated a significant part of her professional life to education and community service. She first served at Haywood Community College as the secretary to the AG/Bio Department for and was then the Natural Resource Office Manager after 8 years she then blossomed into a pivotal role as the Housing Director for Mountain Projects, a position she cherished for over 30 years. Even after her retirement, her commitment to helping others continued, and she remained a towering presence at Mountain Projects. Her influence reached countless lives, exemplifying her passion for community. She even helped found and was a ground breaker at the Aviemore Village apartments in Clyde.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Joan shared her exceptional gifts with the community through her acting and baking. She and her loving husband Alec made Scottish foods with their business St. Andrew’s Square Scottish Foods for 25 years. She was famous for her Scottish shortbread, winning many gold medals at the Highland Festivals and Scottish Games. A highlight of her theatrical journey was her role in the play "Miracle Worker," which garnered immense success at Haywood Community College and led to an invitation to perform at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. Acting was a calling that she embraced wholeheartedly, even if Hollywood never came knocking.

Joan's life was laced with music, a language she spoke fluently. She had a song for every occasion and shared her lifelong passion for music with her family, creating beautiful memories through childhood nursery rhymes from her Scottish heritage. Her magical whistling brought joy to those around her, warming hearts and brightening days.

Joan was a proud member of First Presbyterian Church of Waynesville, where she worshipped alongside her husband for many years. She found delight in the simple joys of life, including playing the lottery, which added a unique sparkle to her days.

Throughout her lifetime, Joan exemplified love and resilience in her family. She is survived by her son, Alexander David Robb (Laura), along with four beloved grandsons one beloved granddaughter, six great-granddaughters, and one great-grandson, all carrying forward her spirit and zest for life. A treasured tapestry of extended family also remains to honor her memory.

Joan was preceded in death by her father, Douglas Sills; her mother, Agnes Scott; her stepfather, William Swan; her devoted husband of 64 years, Alexander McRae Robb, who passed away in 2025; her son, William Robb; her sister, Sylvia Swan; her brother, Douglas Sills; and her beloved grandson, Adam Robb. Each of these losses shaped the woman she became, deepening her empathy and love for others.

A Memorial Service celebrating Joan’s remarkable life will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church of Waynesville, starting at 2:00 PM. Friends and family are invited to gather as they remember the woman whose laughter was the orchestration of a beautiful symphony of life—a woman whose spirit will forever sing in the hearts of those she touched. Joan Elizabeth Robb will be deeply missed, but her legacy of love, kindness, and community will resonate for eternity.

Memorial may be made to Mountain Projects at 2177 Asheville Rd. Waynesville, NC 28786.

The care of Ms. Robb has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.