Joan L. Devine-Manze, 94, of Clarks Summit, died on Thursday at home.

Born October 8, 1931 in Greater London, England, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Florence (Mills) Devine.

Growing up in London, Joan began a long and rewarding career in dancing at only 2-and-a-half years old. Upon visiting a dance school, she refused to sit and simply watch the ballerinas, instead deciding to run over to the bar to join the class. Since then, she spent her life moving from one dance step to another. She trained with the British Ballet Organization, receiving a diploma at age 6 before continuing her studies with the Royal Academy of Dancing and receiving eight more diplomas. She then went on to the Royal Schools of Music and Piano and St. John's School of Elocution and Dramatic Arts and Modeling.

However, pursuing her passion was not easy while in the throes of World War II. Her family moved frequently, and Joan even recalled a time when she had to hunker down in a studio, emerging from the building later that night to find an unexploded bomb in the middle of the street.

In her last year in England, Joan opened the first Joan's Dance Studio in Newcastle. Not long after starting her small business, Joan's father sold their house, finally agreeing to move to Scranton to be near his sister, yet in the process, forcing his daughter to start over. Arriving on the Queen Elizabeth I in August 1949, Joan was devastated. However, her resilience was profound and she founded the Devine School of Dance in Clarks Summit and was fondly known to all as "Miss Joan". Miss Joan continued her dance instructions well into her 90s.

Personally she was certified in photograph oil colorist, para-psychology and enjoyed embroidery, knitting and chrochetting.

Survivors include her children, Philip Manze and Richard Manze, and Jennifer Sherpinskas and husband Jospeh, grandchildren, Bryon Filipkoski, Leah Filikoski, step grandchildren, Joseph Sherpinskas and wife Maggie, Logan Joseph and Lucas James, great grandchildren, Ezra and Parker Filipkoski, and Lily Anne Matthews.

The funeral will be Wednesday at 10am Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., 111 Colburn Avenue, Clarks Summit. Interment, Abington Hills Cemetery, South Abington Twp. The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday from 4-6 at the funeral home.