Joan Carole Bass Baydush

Lewisville, N.C. – Joan Carole Bass Baydush, 82, recently of Lewisville, N.C. and formerly of Norfolk, Va., died peacefully after a prolonged illness.
A warm welcoming smile, a tender touch, a kind manner, a keen intelligence, a passion and excitement for life and a future with her loving husband-to-be Jerry Baydush, marked Joanie’s early life history.

Blessed with two wonderful children, Helen and Alan, and precious grandsons Alex and Aidan, and a loving family and friends, her life unfurled as it is apt to do with a combination of great joy and sadness, pleasure, and pain. However, Joan centered her life with her family and her home. Jerry was a very kind, attentive, loving husband who married Joan in September 1963. Words cannot possibly express how special a husband he was to his forever sweetheart, Joanie. They catered to each other with love and respect and were always at each other’s side and in each other’s heart. They were best friends and spouses.

They cherished their son, Alan Baydush, their late daughter Helen Baydush Kehayas Verhurlst, deceased brother Philip Stephen Bass, and grandsons Alexander Kehayas and Aidan Baydush. They were treasures beyond words and the lights of their life. Alan’s wife, Lori Tebbets Baydush, was as adored as an actual daughter would be. Joanie was predeceased by her father Abraham Milton Bass, mother Helen Feldman Bass, and second mother, Naomi Legum Bass.

To cherish Joan’s memory were siblings, Robin Feldman Kyle, husband Rickie, and nephews Philip and Lance, Brian Feldman and wife Terri, and nephews Philip and Max and niece Erin, and Howard Feldman and his life partner Maria Winn and niece Lexie and nephew Robin and numerous other cousins, nieces, and nephews on both sides and many friends. We will all miss Joan dearly.

She and Jerry had a deep interest in spirituality and helped guide their two grandsons toward Torah and Judaism. Alex and Aidan brought light to her eyes, a big smile and constant joy. Joanie could look at you and tug your heartstrings like none other. Alan, her cherished, loving attentive son became the family patriarch early and he was a blessed honored gift every day.

Graveside services were held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk. Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg officiated. Memorial donations in Joan’s name may be made to either Trellis Supportive Care (Hospice), 101 Hospice Ln, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, 601 Children’s Lane, Norfolk, VA 23507.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at hdoliver.com.