Dorothy Joan Rivers Levin

Dorothy Joan Rivers Levin, 91, of Topeka, passed away on September 21, 2022, at McCrites Plaza Senior Living long-term care. Joan was born in Newark, Ohio on December 11, 1930, to Clayton Mines Lee and Thelma Virginia Scheffler Lee.

Dorothy decided to use the name Joan early in life because she thought the name Dorothy was an old lady's name. Joan often told the story that the name Dorothy came from her uncle's fiancée, whom he broke up with before they were married, and she got stuck with the name. Joan grew up all over the country, as a daughter of a military man. Finally landing in Corpus Christi, TX. Her first boyfriend was 11 years old when he was struck and killed by lightning while playing baseball. This tragedy stuck with her whole life. Our Joanie was a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt, woman, and friend who was adored by all who knew her. She was so sweet, loving, smart, funny, giving, gracious, generous, and a whole lot of fun. She was known to many who knew her as an avid shopper, especially of shoes and clothes. Joan learned to type in school, but almost failed the shorthand part of the class. She joked that her teacher passed her because she worked so hard in his class. Joan started a job as a cashier at a local bank, eventually working her way to Vice President.

She was briefly married and divorced. She then met Jeff Rivers and they married. She was a mother to Jeff's three kids. Jeff passed away from cancer. She then had the good fortune to meet our father John Levin through a friend and business associate. John often traveled to Corpus to visit his new love. They married on Padre Island in 2001. John persuaded Joan to move to Topeka and they spent a total of 30 years together. She was our dad's soulmate, until her last breath…and now beyond. She is survived by her husband, John Levin, of Topeka, Kansas, her Sister Nanci Lee Tucker of Newton, North Carolina, her brother Bob Lee of Pflugerville, Texas. Her stepchildren, Randy (Tammie) of Bristow Oklahoma, Tim (Adriana) of Pflugerville, Texas, Kim (Jeff) Cook of Lenexa, Kansas, Hank (Donna) Rivers, Olathe, Kansas, Mariquita Kita (J.G.) Wreden, Harlingen, Texas, and Tim (Brenda) Rivers, Salado, Texas.

Joan was cremated and requested no services be held on her behalf. Joan would love for you to make a donation in her name to your local Helping Hands (Dogs and Cats) Humane Society in remembrance of her love for pets When You Speak of Her Author Unknown "When you speak of her, speak not with tears, for thoughts of her should not be sad. Let memories of the times you shared give you comfort,  for her life was rich because of you."