Joan Emma Hurlock

Dr. Joan E. Hurlock, beloved physician, friend, aunt, sister, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2025, after a long life full of patients, family, friends and laughs.

Born Joan Emma Rosenbaum on January 8, 1933, the first of five children to Helen and Edward Rosenbaum. She first studied to become a nurse, graduating from the University of Michigan Nursing School. She cared for polio patients confined to iron lungs and found the work profound — she talked about the patients she met for the rest of her life. 

One of those patients served as her maid of honor when Joan married David “Tommy” Hurlock Sr. in 1954. Years later, Joan and Tommy had a son, David. After Tommy’s death in 1960, as a widowed single mother, Joan focused on her education and graduated from Beaver College, class of 1965. She graduated with an MD from Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1971 with the support of a scholarship from Zonta International. She practiced medicine at Roxborough Memorial Hospital in Philadelphia for more than 40 years, where she served as President of the Medical Staff. She kept her medical license in good standing until she passed away. She loved to care for her patients in the Roxborough community.

Dr. Joan Hurlock was incredibly personable and always had a joke. She had a remarkable talent for turning strangers - especially patients - into friends, and neighbors and friends into family. She was rarely without her best friend, Lorraine Beaulieu, over the 56 years they lived together. They enjoyed spending time in the Poconos and in the garden they grew together. She was a world traveler and visited far-flung places like the Galapagos and Antarctica with Lori and their friends. 

Dr. Hurlock has now been reunited with Lori, her family, friends, patients, and every Chihuahua that she ever loved. We, her family, are left to miss her, her light, and the laughter she brought into every room. In her memory, please tell a joke and have a Seven and Seven. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting your favorite charity in her honor. 

A memorial message may be sent to the family on our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.