Joan Weil
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Joan Theres Neustadt Weil, 95, died on January 6, 2022, in Dallas. She was born April 10, 1926 in Ardmore, Oklahoma to pioneer oilman and philanthropist Walter Neustadt, Sr. and Doris Westheimer Neustadt. She attended Hockaday School in Dallas, Ashley Hall in Charleston, South Carolina, Monticello in Alton, Illinois and University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois. She was married and had two daughters, Andrea L. Aranson and Jan J. Leeds-Mitchell. Joan enjoyed life and lived it to its fullest until her last days. She stayed involved with and committed to her many and varied business ventures and civic work. She served as President of Quad Decor Company in 1956, was a Partner of the Neustadt Land and Development Company from 1975 to 2001 and was Owner of J.N. Weil Appraisals from 1973 until she retired in 1998. During her time in Galveston, Texas she was very involved in many civic organizations. She was Chairman of the Galveston County Disaster Committee for American Red Cross, member of the Junior League, Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, Community Chest Board of Directors, and President of the Public Health and Nursing Service of Galveston, Texas. She also served as President of the Council of Jewish Women, Vice President of Temple Sisterhood, Child Guidance Community Nursing Officer in Ardmore, Oklahoma, President of the Women's Board at the National Jewish Hospital in Denver, Colorado, Board of General Rose Hospital in Denver, Colorado, Advisor to AEO Sorority in Boulder, Colorado and was a distinguished member of International Who's Who in Arts and Antiques. Joan loved meeting people and was always genuinely inquisitive about them and their families. She enjoyed attending the Dallas Summer Musicals and was a regular attendee for many years. She also kept the tradition alive, one that was started by her parents, of being a generous contributor to and loyal fan of the University of Oklahoma. Her family was responsible for the permanent endowment of the University's Neustadt International Prize for Literature. Joan and her brothers also donated to OU for the expansion of the Bizzell Memorial Library. The expansion is named the Doris W. Neustadt Wing in honor of their mother. In 2015, she established the Joan Neustadt Weil Scholarship of the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation. The scholarship is awarded annually to two students who are pursuing undergraduate studies at the University of Oklahoma. Joan's generosity has helped many other organizations and individuals, known and unknown. She never forgot her hometown of Ardmore, Oklahoma and she helped O.U.T. purchase a house for those needing a second chance and a place to stay.
She was preceded in death by her grandfather, pioneer merchant, rancher and philanthropist Max Westheimer, her parents, and two brothers, Walter, Jr. and Jean. She is survived by daughter Andrea L. Aranson and the love of her life, granddaughter Heidi Aranson-Marchette both of California, her daughter, Jan J. Leeds-Mitchell of Dallas, a brother, Allan Neustadt of Dallas, sister-in-law Dot Neustadt of Dallas, many nieces and nephews as well as numerous acquaintances, friends and loving caregivers. Memorials may be made payable to "DJCF, Weil Scholarship Fund" at 12700 Hillcrest Road, Suite 201, Dallas, Texas 75230 or payable to University of Oklahoma Foundation, 100 Timberdell Road, Norman, OK 73019.