Joan Livers Crosthwait, 71, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away on Thursday, October 5, 2023 after a long illness, at the home she shared with the love of her life, Kent Crosthwait.
She was born on May 6, 1952 in Bardstown, Kentucky to the late Joseph Alfred and Mildred Greenwell Livers. She was their first child together, joining Joe's five from his first marriage to the late Mary Geoghegan and Mildred's six from her first marriage to the late William Sutherland. The Livers-Sutherland clan was a regular fixture at St. Gregory Church in Samuels, where Joan graduated eighth grade.
Joan's extraordinary kindness and generosity made her beloved by every member of her large extended family. She and Kent never hesitated to throw open their home for celebrations ranging from New Year's Eve to Derby, welcome home events, and even cancer survival parties. Her garden was one of her great delights, with something blooming almost year-round. Whenever sisters came to visit, a tour of the garden was one of the first things to do.
Her siblings were thrilled when, after twenty years, Joan and Kent ran into one another at a neighborhood store, and rekindled their high school romance.
Her close-knit gang of girlfriends hung together through thick and thin, long after their graduation from Bethlehem High School in Bardstown. Mary Hoffman Hamilton, Anne Hite Jameson, Nancy Talbott, Ceci Ritchie, and Patty Wathen Etheredge have been steadfast in their friendship. Joan made friends wherever she lived. Especially Betsy and Phil Ward, and many others, shared great times with Joan and Kent in Alabama.
Preceding Joan in death are siblings Mary Jo Livers Singer (Ray), Fred Livers (Chris), Billy Livers (Joyce), Anne Livers Lawrence (John), Norma Sutherland Albert (Bob), and Carolyn Sutherland Mattingly (Philip).
Joan is survived by her loving husband of 25 years, Kent Crosthwait, daughter, Lori Crosthwait (Jon Butts), and sister- and brother-in-law Karen and Pete Seiler. Also surviving are Joan's siblings, Doris Sutherland Allen (John), Bill Sutherland (Nadine), Rosemary Sutherland, Myrna Sutherland Gilkey (Billy), Dorothy Livers Durning (Bob), Paulette Livers (David Kirsh), Kathy Livers Daley (Joe), Michael Livers (Ellen), and Lorri Livers Houck (Rusty). Her memory will always be carried by her nieces and nephews.
A gathering to celebrate Joan's life will be held on Friday, October 13, 2023 from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions East Chapel, 235 Juneau Drive, Louisville, KY 40243).
To share a memory of Joan or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.