Racine – Joan Margaret Spinks, 74, passed away peacefully at her home with her daughter and son at her side on Wednesday, May 25, 2011. Joan was born in Hendon, England on April 7, 1937 to Walter and Winifred (nee, Barton) Hughes. She attended the Royal Academy of Music from 1953 to 1956, to become qualified as a speech and drama teacher. Her first job was teaching drama in East Ham, one of London's poorest neighborhoods. She married Richard Malcolm Spinks in Wembley, England in 1960. He preceded her in eternal life 18 years ago. From 1963 to 1973, Joan lived in Madrid, Spain, raising her children and supporting Richard during his time with Johnson Wax in Spain. In 1973, Joan and Richard and her children permanently moved to the United States where she eventually gained her citizenship in 1997. Joan retired from The Prairie School where she was a speech and drama teacher for over seventeen years. She touched countless lives and empowered young people to find their inner performer. Joan served on the Board of Directors of the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre from 1984-1990. Joan was a member of St. Michael's church for over thirty years: as a choir member, Stephen Minister and organized a grief counseling program for widowed spouses. Joan was recently appointed chaplain of the P.E.O. Joan is survived by her children, Andrew Spinks and Clare (Jim) Groh; grandchildren, Evan Schneider, Lydia Schneider, Sebastian Spinks and Charlotte Spinks; and her sister, Valerie (Stephen) Entwisle. Joan is also survived by her beloved nieces Lin and Penny and other relatives and many dear friends. Joan was an avid lover of the arts, and enjoyed painting in her later years. She was a docent at Wustum Museum and loved live theater in London, Chicago, Milwaukee and Denver. Joan's love of travel was without rival, and she made numerous trips to visit family back in England and Colorado. A Celebration of Joan's Life will be held at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 4701 Erie Street, on Wednesday June 8, 2011 at 4 p.m. with Rev. Terry McGugan officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Wednesday afternoon from 2 p.m. until the time of the service. Memorials may be made to the American Stroke Association, St. Francis Center – Denver, CO, or RAM's Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts.