Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1939
DIED
2024
JOAN BOLKER Obituary
Joan was born on August 24, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York, graduated from Radcliffe in 1960 and earned three Harvard degrees: Master's in English, Master of Arts in Teaching and Doctorate in Education. Her book "Writing your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day" has helped 120,000 graduate students (and counting).
Her 64 year marriage to Ethan was graced by children, Jessica and Benjamin; grandchildren, Sol, Eleanor, and Aidan; and well-loved honorary daughters and grandchildren.
She marched for peace, lived with dogs, swam, gardened (deadheading compulsively), listened to chamber music, canoed on local rivers, visited national parks (often Acadia), hosted parties for any occasion and collected friends and pottery. If it had words on it she read it; she wrote poetry in her journal to understand herself.
In her sixties, she struggled heroically and successfully to cope with increasing deafness, teaching herself to lip-read, opting for a cochlear implant and playing Scrabble to help hang on to her words. Years later, she developed dementia. She spent the rest of her life at Rogerson House in Jamaica Plain, fussing over the other residents and contentedly turning the pages of a book with the muscle memory of a reader.
If you would like to make a donation in her memory, please consider the Staff Appreciation Fund at Rogerson House, the Massachusetts Audubon Society or Planned Parenthood.
There will be a memorial gathering at a later date.
View the online memorial for Joan L. BOLKER
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for JOAN BOLKER
Anita Shishmanian
July 21, 2024
Dear Ethan, Jessica and Ben my sincerest condolences. You were for a good part of your lives in the loving warmth of an amazing person. Joan was a gift to any and all of us whose lives she touched. My life was certainly changed by her friendship and for that I am forever grateful. I shall never forget her.
Algonso
July 16, 2024
Joan was my Number one neighbor I always wished to meet on my daily walks. She was tremendously and honestly friendly. If you met her you will always remember the warmth of her smile.
Edward Rubin
July 16, 2024
My condolences for Ethan Jessica and Ben to my cousin Joan and her lasting legacy
Edward Rubin
July 16, 2024
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Cynthia Manthei
July 16, 2024
My heartfelt condolences to Ethan, Jessica and Ben. We have missed Joan´s spirit for a while now. I feel so very fortunate that Joan was in my life since childhood, and then in the lives of my daughters. She is woven into our life histories, as a memorable, generous, caring, insightful and intelligent person. Rest in peace Joan.
David Rubin
July 15, 2024
Our condolences to a beautiful person in all ways!
David, Paula, Justin and Edward Rubin
Victor and Margret Guillemin
July 15, 2024
Joan was a wonderful friend to Victor and me. We will remember her fondly. Our heartfelt condolences to you, Ethan, Jessica and Benjamin.
Victor and Margret Guillemin
July 15, 2024
Joan was a wonderful friend to Victor and me. We will remember her fondly. Our heartfelt condolences to you, Ethan, Jessica and Benjamin.
Jane C Simon
July 15, 2024
My sincere condolences to the family of a plucky, kind, and exceptional woman, especially to her husband, Ethan, with whom I corresponded.
Stephanie
July 14, 2024
My deepest condolences to my patient Joan bolker she's very nice l miss her so much
Cheryl Lekousi
July 13, 2024
I was one of the lucky people to meet Joan. We met while watching over our dogs at the park. Illness did not keep me from caring for Joan and seeing her kind heart on display. Her smile told the story of caring her words no longer could. Reading her written words brought more insight to a wonderful life. I will remember her always.
Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results
Make a Donation
in JOAN BOLKER's name
Memorial Events
for JOAN BOLKER
How to support JOAN's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor JOAN BOLKER's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
