Joann Elizabeth Brenneman Fair, age 90, widow of Robert W. Fair, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2019 in Framingham, MA. Born November 3, 1928 in Huntingdon, PA, daughter of the late Richard and Helen Daughenbauch Brenneman. Joann was raised in Natick, MA and was a graduate of the Natick school system, where she was a Natick High Cheerleader.
Joann lived a purposeful life, always busy and very productive. She worked a variety of jobs beginning at the Dennison Paper Company, moving along to Jordan Marsh serving up their legendary Blueberry Muffins, assisting veterinarian Dr. Slade in his office, keeping books at Garinos and ending her career well into her 80's working part-time at the Millwood Farms Golf Club, flipping tuna melts - a job that scored her the best tee times. Her home was meticulous, her gardens abounded in color and her calendar filled with adventures beginning with her honeymoon skiing at Mt. Cranmore. Joann found contentment in the outdoors, camping at Lake Sebago , hiking out West with Bob, of which she later reported the story of a bear encounter. She waterskied on Long Lake in Maine, and she was often engaged in heated tennis tournaments (losing not an option). She taught countless children to swim at the family pool on Franklin Street, which was the center of activity in the neighborhood and the site of many a party. She skated on Farm Pond and skied Sunday River many weekends. She had nothing favorable to say about golf until she picked up the clubs in retirement and realized she was good at that too. In her later years she was also known to knock down a few candlepins. She was a natural talent, a knitter of the semi-famous "GrammaWear Collection," and a gifted artist who painted up until her final days. She was an unassuming reservoir of knowledge, whose voracious reading kept her wit sharp until the very end.
Joann instilled a strong work ethic in her four children who survive her, Robert Fair (Sandra Meyer) of CT, Darcy Fair Bober (Jim) of MA, Richard Fair (Wendy) of CT and Kathleen Keiley(Chris) of MA. She leaves four grandchildren who were her pride and joy, Meghan Fair of RI, Catherine Fair Mavrikos (Adam) of MA, Emily Keiley (Jeff Joyce) of MA and Christopher Keiley (Nikki) of ME and three great-grandchildren who lit up the room, and who today proudly sport "GrammaWear,", Keiley Joyce, and Molly and William Mavrikos. She is also survived by her beloved sister, Susan Cioppa (Carl). She was predeceased by her cherished grandson Ian Fair in March, 2018 a loss that broke her heart. Joann was also predeceased by her siblings Richard Brenneman, June Stephens, Jack Brenneman, and Fred Brenneman. Survived by sister-in-law’s Barbara Brenneman & Nancy Brenneman.
The family is planning a Celebration of Life in the near future. Arrangements entrusted to Norton Funeral Home, Framingham.
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