Joan A. Ehren, a former president of the Ladies Village Improvement Society of East Hampton and of the Friends of Guild Hall, died on Jan. 18 at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital after having been ill for several weeks. She was 90.
Mrs. Ehren received her bachelor’s degree in history from Wagner College on Staten Island, her master’s degree in psychology from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in university administration from the University of Denver. She began her career as an elementary school teacher and from there proceeded to teacher training in the Harlem schools with the Institute for Developmental Studies at New York University. She consulted for the Newark schools and was assistant to the superintendent of schools in Aurora, Colo., where she oversaw 13 elementary schools. She retired as associate dean for career services at St. Xavier College in Chicago.
She was born on Staten Island on April 23, 1932, to Rufus and Emma Bansemer, and grew up there. She and Charles A. Ehren Jr. were married on Sept. 4, 1954. Their work and her studies took them to many places. They lived in Manhattan as newlyweds, then in Chappaqua, N.Y., for seven years, in Chicago for two, Denver for five, Bedford, N.Y., for two years, and in Valparaiso, Ind., from 1977 to 1997.
When the Ehrens returned to New York and East Hampton in 1997, she initially became involved in the effort to restore Sammy’s Beach after it had been damaged by a Three Mile Harbor dredging project.
Before her long involvement with the L.V.I.S., she was active with the League of Women Voters, the American Association of University Professors, and the Eastern Gate Garden Club.
Mrs. Ehren’s husband survives her and lives in East Hampton.
She was buried at Ocean View Cemetery on Staten Island. A gathering for friends will be held at a future date. Her family has suggested contributions to the L.V.I.S., 95 Main Street, East Hampton 11937.
