Joan Erdesky, 1958-2025, A Founding Member of SMT, Performing at Drum ’N’ Splash 2024.

Joan and Amelia playing Odaiko at Shangö Matsuri, our 1st Anniversary Celebration, April 2024.

We Remember

Joan Erdesky, 1958-2025
SMT Founding Member

In May of 2025, Joan Erdesky finally lost her extended battle with Cancer, peacefully passing from this world surrounded by her loving family on May 14th, 2025 at her home. She was born on February 10, 1958, in Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA. She was the sixth of seven children born to Lt. Col. Joseph L. Erdesky and Virginia M. Erdesky. Joan is survived by her husband Roger Lyle and identical twin daughters, Charlotte Enfield and Juliette (Tom) Buell and two well-loved cats, Sunny Boy and Cherie.

Joan was a Founding Member of Shangö Mountain Taiko. She was part of the original cohort that came forward in February 2023 to participate in our Debut at Morgan Arts Council’s Sakura Matsuri event in April 2023. She was one of the very best of us, displaying willingness, curiosity, adaptability, and a joyful Taiko Spirit! She was one of the first to master Renshu and Matsuri Daiko when they were completely new songs to our group. She was always an inspiring player and was a source of mentorship and guidance to our newer members as we strived to grow. She was instrumental in helping SMT to get where we are today, and will be treasured and remembered for everything she brought to us.

Beyond Taiko, Joan led a remarkably accomplished life. Her Many accomplishemnts inclided working in Typesetting, Printing & Advertising. She worked as an editor, proofreader, and graphic designer. She also taught graphic design courses at Hagerstown Community College in Hagerstown, MD. Joan worked at the Herald-Mail newspaper in Hagerstown and did page layout and worked for the new Herald-Mail TV station. She applied that expertise to enhance her husband’s enterprise, Motorcycle Xcitement! She was a volunteer beginning in her youth as a Candy Striper, and later with The Valley Co-op in Hagerstown, MD, The Washington County Commission for Women, Habitat for Humanity, and Hospice. She volunteered for the Star Community Center at the Historic Star Theatre WV in Berkeley Springs WV and served as Treasurer.

The family has entrusted Joan’s care to Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home in McConnellsburg, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kelso-corneliusfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, Joan has requested that memorial contributions be made to her favorite charity, DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS at www.doctorswithoutborders.org.

A celebration of Joan’s life was held on July 12, 2025 at their Farm in Needmore, PA. We were honored to play in celebration of a rich full life, well lived, well loved, and well remembered. Yassai!