New York Yankees: Joan Steinbrenner passes away

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Joan Steinbrenner, widow of George Steinbrenner, smiles prior to the start of the Grapefruit League Spring Training Game between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 26, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Joan Steinbrenner, widow of George Steinbrenner, smiles prior to the start of the Grapefruit League Spring Training Game between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 26, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Joan Steinbrenner, who was the Vice Chairperson of the New York Yankees, has passed away at the age of 83, the team announced.

According to an official team release, Vice Chairperson Joan Steinbrenner of the New York Yankees has died at the age of 83. She passed away Friday at her home in Tampa, Florida.

Joan, who was born in Ohio, graduated from Ohio State University. She was married to late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner from 1956 until 2010, when he passed away.

As an executive of the New York Yankees, she participated in many philanthropic efforts, supporting various local initiatives in her native Ohio and serving on the board of directors of numerous philanthropic organizations in Florida.

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Joan is survived by her children: Hank, Hal, Jessica, and Jennifer. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Hal, her youngest son, is currently the principal owner and co-chairman of the Yankees organization. He gained control of the organization in 2008. Prior to that, he had been the chairman of the board.

Several individuals took to Twitter to express their condolences, among them Forbes CEO Steve Forbes, the Trenton Thunder organization, the Yogi Berra Museum, Coley Harvey of ESPN, and many, many more.

In their official statement, the Steinbrenner family eloquently said that Joan was “a compassionate and caring matriarch whose profound love for her family and those in the community always inspired us. Her elegance and grace touched everyone around her, and we know her spirit will live on through her legacy of good works.”

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Call to the Pen would like to join the New York Yankees staff, players, executives, and fans in mourning the loss of Ms. Joan Steinbrenner.