Joan W. Benham

1936 - 2018

Mrs. Joan (Weatherley) Benham, born on October 2, 1936 in New York City, passed away at age 82 on September 13, 2018 in Boulder, Colorado. A native of New England, she resided at various times in Bridgewater and Farmington Valley CT, NH and MA before moving to Boulder to be with family. She graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1958, was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and the first student there to use a bike to get around campus. Joan was preceded in death by her beloved husbands Harrison Wesley Parcell, and then John A. Benham, and her brother, John S. Weatherley. Joan is survived by her siblings Susan Hammond, Suzanne Moore, Peter Norris, Wendy Norris and Chris Norris; her son Stephen Wesley Parcell and wife Kelly, daughter Laurelyn Sayah, 5 stepchildren, 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Joan's work and play was inspired by a love of the natural environment wherever she was. She was editor for Connecticut Wildlife Division until 1992, and Publicity Chairperson for People's Action for Clean Energy for many decades. She was at her most content when in nature, especially the quiet little places where the creatures lived. Joan enjoyed paddling, hiking, skiing, being with family, gardening, all animals and especially children, dogs and bunnies. She enjoyed singing and was a member of the Simsbury Light Opera and her church's choir. A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 22, 2018 at 3 pm at the Academy Chapel, 970 Aurora Ave, Boulder CO 80302, and a Memorial Birch Tree will be planted in her honor along the banks of Boulder Creek at Eben G. Fine Park in Boulder.