Joan Van Hook Harris

Joan Van Hook Harris

Littleton, CO - Joan Van Hook Harris, longtime resident of New London, New Hampshire, died peacefully at her assisted living home in Littleton Colorado on April 17, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was 93 years old. Born on May 23, 1930 in North Haledon, New Jersey, Joan attended Hawthorne High School and was a member of the class of 1952 at Wellesley College.

She was predeceased by two husbands; Willard D. Wood and Townes M. Harris Jr., both members of the Dartmouth class of 1947, and both attending college through the V-12 Navy College training Program.

While living in Lexington, Massachusetts with her first husband, in addition to three children, they raised and showed Champion Basset hounds starting her long lasting interest in dogs and dog shows. Having earlier left Wellesley before graduating, she ultimately returned in the 70's to earn a BA in English fueling a lifelong absorption with literature and reading.

Joan was an inveterate volunteer; throughout her life she volunteered at many charitable organizations; in New London, together with her second husband Townes, she was active with the New London Historical Society, Tracy Memorial Library and The New London VNA hospice program. While in New London Joan participated in many Adventures in Learning classes at Colby-Sawyer College. She and Townes also enjoyed many overseas trips and cruises.

She is survived by her children; Jerrold Wood of El Cerrito California, Polly Wood-Holland of Portland Oregon, Alexander Wood of Conifer, Colorado, and her step-children Barbara Sassano of Savannah Georgia, and Townes M Harris III of Gilford New Hampshire, ten grandchildren and ten Great-grandchildren.

Private graveside committal services and burial will take place, at a later date, in Pine Hill Cemetery in Brandon.

Arrangements by Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon, VT.