Longtime Standardbred trainer Joan M. Brown, 79, of Harrisburg, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, April 21 at Harrisburg Medical Center.
She was born in Muscatine, Iowa, on January 11, 1939, to the late Alfred and Mary Jane (Schauland) Beach.
She was a member of the United States Trotting Association and the Kentucky Harness Horsemen's Association. She loved all animals but harness horses drew her special attention. She loved racing at county fairs, Quad City Downs, Fairmount Park, Maywood Park, Balmoral Park, the Red Mile and Bluegrass Downs where she was honoured as the track’s trainer of the year in 2014.
She relished the relationships she made with fellow trainers and drivers. She strived to race healthy, happy horses which included racing both trotters and pacers barefoot. Just a few of her standout pupils over the years included the free-legged sensation Purdue Boy and the hard-knocking trotters Alcatraz Boy, Bonfire Red and Strong Kiss.
She married David Brown on March 25, 1995 and he survives. Also surviving are her children, Fred Canarr, Chuck (Julie) Canarr, Lane (Julie) McDonald, Jody Canarr, Kelly Canarr and Robin (Mike) Dudley; 15 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Private funeral services will be held on Wednesday (April 25) at Watson Funeral Home in Eldorado, Ill. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.watsonfuneralhome.net.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption at www.horseadoption.com.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Joan Brown.
(USTA)