Founder of Casa Caritas; Joan Muller, dies

Founding member and former CEO of Casa Caritas, Joan Muller, died on July 26 at the age of 92.

Born April 3, 1931, Johanna Susanna Muller (neé Watson) is what many would regard as an angel on earth.

In 1973, residents of Kempton Park recognised the need for the care of mentally disabled children in the community.

The Kempton Park Home for the Disabled was established. It was later renamed Casa Caritas (House of Compassion).

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Joan, affectionately known as Tannie Joan, founded Casa Caritas along with prominent Kempton Park residents Hannes Keulder, Dries Niemand, Marie Marais, Anton and Jeanne Fritz (Anton was her brother-in-law and Jeanne her sister) and André Naude among others.

She held the position of CEO at the facility from 1973 to 1995. Joan’s passion for helping mentally disabled children was evident.

She was the constant driving force behind the project and under her leadership, they managed to convince the Kempton Park City Council to make a house available for them in Maxwell Street, Kempton Park.

As time went by, the project grew stronger. It was decided to split the institution. Con Amore was established for higher functioning children while Casa Caritas remained steadfast in its care for severely disabled children.

Joan continued as head of Casa Caritas and was instrumental in obtaining a large plot of land in Terenure, Kempton Park, from the city council.

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Money was raised and a home was built that still meets the needs of the children today. After retiring as head of Casa Caritas in 1995, she served as chairperson of the governing body for several more years.

She lived in Siebert Roos Park, one of the housing complexes for Allen Park, the Council of the Aged, for 17 years. Here she also served on several committees.

Joan is survived by her two sons, Paul and Corné, who were in high school when she co-founded Casa Caritas. She was a grandmother to four grandchildren and great-grandmother to six great-grandchildren.

Hildegard Martin, daughter of the late Anton and Jeanne Fritz, says Joan was her second mom.

“Through my parents and aunt Joan’s work I learned about the needs of disabled children. I learned more about the challenges they and their families face. It was quite an eye-opener.”

Joan’s youngest son, Corné, described his mom as a gentle person with a strong will. She was a devout Christian with strong ethical values.

“I never asked my mother how she would like to be remembered, but I think she would like to be thought of as someone that was part of a team that served the entire community by establishing a facility to care for mentally disabled children,” he said.

He added that he would like to encourage other people to get involved in caring for people who need assistance in their community, irrespective of what such assistance may entail.

Her oldest son, Paul, says his mother’s love language was food.

“She always made extra food so she could give to those who arrived unexpectedly. She had a prayer list for every day and without exception, she prayed for everyone on her list. She was always genuinely excited when we told her we are driving all the way from the Northern Cape to come and visit her.”

Outgoing Casa Caritas CEO Adri Kruger remembers Joan as a formidable person – a force to be reckoned with. Tannie Joan was fondly known as ‘Sammajoor’ (Sergeant Major).

“When she spoke, everyone paid attention.”

Chantell Kriel, the newly appointed Casa Caritas CEO says, “I didn’t have the honour to work with Tannie Joan. She was here way before my time. But I can tell you she was a pioneering woman. She lived for her work in her community and her family.”