Joan Dexter

Joan Dexter , 92
1933 - 2025
Peabody - Joan Linda Dexter (Beres), aka "Nana the Powerful," 92, passed away surrounded by her family on 11/9/2025 after a courageous fight with dementia. She was a lifelong resident of Peabody MA.
Family and the love of Family were so very important to Joan. We have lost a legend. What an incredible legacy of love and laughter she leaves behind.
She was predeceased by her mother- Rachel (Cooper) Beres and her father Samuel Saul Beres, her beloved brother William P Beres, and his wife Mary. Joan is survived by her husband Robert (Bob) Dexter, sons and their wives Ric (Frederic) Dexter and Lesley, Scott Dexter and Martha, beloved grandchildren Adam, Ethan, Molly, Gil, and nieces Sharon Fishman, Deborah Baum, nephew Benjamin Beres and many other dear friends and relations.
Joan was a proud resident of Peabody, MA graduating from Peabody High School 1951. She then began working at GE in Lynn culminating as an executive assistant until her retirement after 35 years of service. In 1962 she married Bob Dexter, fellow member of the GE glee club.
Joan valued education and attended Merrimack College graduating magna Cum Laude in 1983 at the age of fifty. She was Bat Mitzvah'ed as an adult, as women of her age were not allowed when she was young. Joan had a quick wit and her intelligence really shone when making a perfectly timed insightful and often inappropriate joke. She and Bob were blessed with a wonderful circle of friends with whom they shared many great times. Joan was a talented painter and had a small business panting decorative items as "Joan of Art." Her other hobbies and talents included playing the piano, needlework, collecting anything bunny and attending live theatre and classical music performances.
After her retirement, she worked at the North Shore Music Theatre for over a decade where she had the opportunity to provide individualized service for customers (which sometimes got her in trouble). Those were years when she developed dear and lasting friendships with many actors and theater staff.
Joan was a long-standing member of Temple Tiferet Shalom (formerly Beth Shalom), being involved in various volunteer capacities including library organization.
The most enduring theme of Joan's life was the love of her family. She relished in hosting extended family holiday gatherings and spending time with her family and grandchildren. She would often "adopt" strangers as she could not contain her desire to connect and love others.
Joan wanted you to know "she had a ball and did it all."
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 12th at 10:00 at Temple Tiferet Shalom, 489 Lowell Street, Peabody, MA. Shiva will be held at Ric and Lesley Dexter's home following the burial until 7:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to Temple Tiferet Shalom, or a Holocaust Museum of your choice.