Bridgeport Resident, Business Owner, and Community Volunteer, Joan W. Rine, Passes Away at Age of 74
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on March 21, 2025
Joan W. Rine, 74, of Bridgeport, WV, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Mon Health Medical Center in Morgantown after a brief illness. Born in Clarksburg on April 13, 1950, she was the daughter of the late John William and Oma Jane (Hall) Poole.
Joan is survived by her husband of 51 years, Lawrence M. “Larry” Rine; her children, Jason Rine and his wife, Beth, of the Maple Lake 
community, and Greta (Rine) Zane and her husband, Richard, of Massachusetts; and her cherished grandchildren, Elizabeth Rine, Atlas Rine, and Halley Zane. She is also survived by her brother, Thomas Poole, and his wife, MaryAnn, of Blacksburg, VA, along with her nephews, Nicholas Poole of Wytheville, VA, and Michael Poole of Roanoke, VA.
community, and Greta (Rine) Zane and her husband, Richard, of Massachusetts; and her cherished grandchildren, Elizabeth Rine, Atlas Rine, and Halley Zane. She is also survived by her brother, Thomas Poole, and his wife, MaryAnn, of Blacksburg, VA, along with her nephews, Nicholas Poole of Wytheville, VA, and Michael Poole of Roanoke, VA.
Joan was among the first 16 graduates of West Virginia University’s Physical Therapy program in 1972. As a Registered PT, she dedicated her career to helping others, starting at the WV State Rehabilitation Center before moving into home health services in Harrison County. Later, she founded Explore to Learn, LLC, working with the West Virginia Birth to Three program for over two decades—a role she deeply loved.
Beyond her career, Joan was an active volunteer at Fort New Salem, serving as the Friends of the Fort Chairman, managing school tours, and participating in various immersive activities at the fort. Later in life, she fulfilled a long-held dream of living on an active farm, where she cared for her horses, chickens, goats, rabbits, dogs, and cats. The farm also allowed her to expand her lifelong enjoyment of flowers, gardening, and crafting.
Above all, Joan treasured time spent with her family, always finding ways to make life special for them. Her kindness, dedication, and love will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 3rd, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Maple Lake Clubhouse. Instead of flowers and cards, honor Joan’s spirit by growing and nurturing flowers and gardens in your own life. Please consider donating in her memory to one of the following organizations: Fort New Salem Foundation: https://fortnewsalemfoundation.org/how-to-support-us/,
The Humane Society of Harrison County: www.hshcwv.org/donate.html. Online condolences, www.davisweaverfuneralhome.com The Davis-Weaver Funeral Home is honored to serve the Rine Family during their time of need.
