Joan T. Fieldus

Joan T. Fieldus, a beacon of positivity and warmth, gracefully left this world on October 14, 2024, at UC Health Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, Colorado. She came into this world on November 24, 1944, in  "the U.S.," (as she would say) due to the fact that her family happened to traveling away from home when she was born. 

Joan’s journey was a testament to her unwavering spirit and boundless dedication to both her family and her profession.

In her illustrious career, Joan served as a Medical Records Administrator, assuming the title of Director at Alachua Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. She moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1996 she moved to Cheyenne where she became the Medical Records Director at Memorial Hospital of Laramie County. She was proud of being an RHIT, CCS, and CCS-P, showcasing her commitment to excellence in the medical field. Her passion for education flourished as an Adjunct Professor at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, where she developed a medical coding curriculum that empowered countless students to face the National Coding Certification with confidence. Joan also took her expertise to Laramie County Community College, where she continued to inspire future professionals. In 1998, she founded her own post-secondary school for medical coding, pouring her heart into it until 2008 with the birth of her first grandson, at which point she chose to embrace the joys of family life full-time.

Joan’s personality radiated positivity, and she had a unique ability to connect with everyone she met. Her smiling face and generous spirit created an environment where her students felt valued and nurtured. Remarkably, by the second class, she could recall each student’s name—a testament to her heartfelt investment in their futures.

Her love for writing was a cornerstone of her daily life; she found solace in journaling, often describing her need to release the “swollen” words from her mind onto the paper. This creative outlet was a reflection of her rich inner world, brimming with thoughts and emotions that she generously shared with those around her.

Joan faced her recent health challenges with unimaginable courage. Just three months prior to her passing, she received the shocking diagnosis of an immense meningioma in the front of her skull. A highly skilled neurosurgeon performed a successful surgery to remove the tumor, igniting hope for a brighter future. However, after more than six weeks of battling, her body could no longer endure.

Joan's legacy lives on in the hearts of her loving family. She is survived by her devoted husband, Ricky Parker of Cheyenne; her brother, Robert (Bob) Tedone, and sister-in-law Giesla of Sweetwater, Florida; her cherished daughter, Cynthia Salett, and son-in-law Peter, along with their son Max of Brooklyn, New York; and her son, Tony Fieldus, and daughter-in-law Shelly of Ocala, Florida. The joy of being a grandmother was one of her proudest accomplishments, enriching her life with boundless love.

Joan is predeceased by her beloved mother, Rose (Shusett) Tedone; her father, Anthony Tedone; and many treasured aunts and uncles.

As we remember Joan T. Fieldus, let us celebrate her vibrant spirit, her remarkable contributions to her community, and her unyielding love for her family. She taught us that positivity could light the darkest of paths and that family is the greatest treasure of all. Her gentle presence will be profoundly missed but her legacy will live on through the lives she touched.