New London, NH-Joan Simpkins Clarke died January 29, 2006, peacefully at home after a two-year battle with cancer at the age of 80. She was surrounded by her husband of 57 years, Arthur French Clarke and her five children. Throughout her life, Joanie was devoted to her family, her church and her community. "God couldn't be everywhere, so he invented grandmothers" was a favorite family saying.
Born in Boston and educated at Sea Pines School, in Brewster, MA, she went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Milton Academy in 1943. Upon graduation from Children's Hopsital School of Nursing in Boson in 1946, Joanie worked as a registered nurse at Children's until 1948, when she married and moved to Barnstable, MA to raise their five children. Dedicated to focusing on the strengths found in all children, she furthered her education of learning disabilities at Curry College in Milton from 1970-72. When the family moved to New London in 1972, Joanie became a learning skills teacher at Proctor Academy until her retirement in 1987.
Joanie was an active volunteer in every community where she lived. While in Barnstable, MA, she was a PTA Chair, a Sunday School teacher, and a scout leader. In New London, she was a faithful parishoner at St. Andrew's Church. Her love for the medical field led her to serve on the boards of the Lake Sunapee Region Visiting Nurse Association, the New London Hospital and their Auxiliary for which she served as its chairman for two years.
This dedication to her community was honored twice. In October 1999, Joanie received the "Volunteer of the Year Award" from the New Hampshire Hospital Auxiliary. In 2004, she was honored at the Lake Sunapee Region Visiting Nurse Association Pediatric Services' annual luncheon for "Women Who Make a Difference". This event honors the important and often quiet work of women who exemplify community service.
Throughout her life time she loved to play tennis, swim, sail, garden and travel. Together she and her husband traveled the world enjoying new and interesting places. Upon returning from each trip her address book had several new names of friends that she had made.
In addition to her husband, she is also survived by a sister, Roberta (Simpkins) Baldwin Stoneman of New London, NH; three daughters, Anne Hunt of Mirror Lake, NH, Leezie Magruder of Newton, MA, and Doffie Farrar of Medfield, MA and two sons, Read Clarke of New London, NH and Toby Clarke of Durham, NH. The most important mission in her life was to love and care for her entire family, including 14 grandchildren who were proud to be able to call her "Grandmother".
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. at The First Baptist Church of New London, NH.
In lieu of flowers, Joanie requested that donations be made to one of her favorite organizations in New London; the New London Hospital, 273 County Road, Lake Sunapee Region Visiting Nurse Association, P.O. Box 2209 or St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 294, all New London, NH 03257.
Chadwick Funeral Service of New London, NH is in charge of arrangements.
