Joan A. Williams

Joan A. Williams, age 94, of Madison Connecticut, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2022, with her family by her side. Born August 26, 1927 in New Rochelle, New York, Joan was the second daughter of the late Frederick and Marie (Fox) Rellstab.

Joan grew up with her three sisters, Marie, Virginia and Janice, as well as her Uncle Jim, step-father “Pop”, and parents, Marie and Fred, all under the same roof, in a lovingly harmonious family. This strong sense of family gave stability and inner strength that endured throughout Joan’s long life. During the fraught WW2 years, Joan’s father, Frederick, was sent to The Bahamas to oversee the construction of a landing strip, they were not to see him for four long years. Joan’s step-father “Pop” was a kind and gentle man who tended the family garden and adored the girls, her “Uncle Jim” helped support the family, with his jovial demeanor and great kindness. Both were deeply loved by the girls, as of course was their mother, Marie.

Joan had a life-long love of dogs, she never met a dog she didn’t like, but the one that she spoke most of up until her dying day, was her beloved Collie Colonel. As a young woman Joan could be seen driving along North Ave., New Rochelle, in the family’s convertible, with Colonel by her side, beautifully groomed, perfectly behaved, known to all, a friend of many.

Joan loved music, and she loved dancing. Her childhood home being in close proximity to New Rochelle high school, most days “the boys”, classmates of the sisters, would come over in the afternoon, roll back the carpet, and dance away the hours. During her teen years Joan saved $100 and bought herself a piano, and began taking lessons.

Summertimes found the family vacationing at Shinnecock ,Quogue , and The Hamptons on Long Island. It was here in the summer of 1949, that Joan met vacationing LIFE magazine and famous portrait photographer Philippe Halsman and his wife, Yvonne. The Halsmans befriended the Rellstab family, with Philippe being especially enchanted by the four vivacious sisters. Mr. Halsman took portraits of the Rellstab girls in his signature “Jumpology” action pose. As Halsman said: “When you ask a person to jump… the mask falls away, and the real person appears”. Mr. Halsman discovered that Joan had a special affinity for photography herself, he took up her invitation to lecture at the Scarsdale camera shop later that year, it was a great success.

After graduating New Rochelle High School Joan attended secretarial school, and began working in her father’s real estate firm in the village of Scarsdale, RELLSTAB REAL ESTATE.

During this time a mutual friend introduced Joan to Nicholas Williams. Nick and Joan loved to go out dancing, going to see the big bands, such as Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey, often frequenting the popular Glen Island casino, on Long Island sound. As a couple they were quick to laugh, generous of spirit, admirers of the simple things in life; family, nature, beauty, and a good day's work (dawn to dusk).

During Nick and Joan’s engagement, a piece of property listed in her father’s firm piqued their interest, and before they were married Nick and Joan purchased their future home, the year was 1952. Both were excited by the farm acreage, and the numerous houses and outbuildings. The property was in the Edgemont section of Scarsdale, (abutting Dromore road and the eventual Edgemont High School). Nick had a vision to create a plant nursery, and to pursue his desire to be a landscape designer.

Joan was eager to roll up her sleeves and create a home and business. What a blessing for Nick that everything Joan turned her attention to was done with enthusiasm, selfless commitment, optimism and unwavering encouragement. To this end, Joan ran the plant nursery, whilst raising six children, running a household, and welcoming innumerable animals- ponies, a goat, dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, turtles, ducks, chickens, fish, etc., while still managing to occasionally play the organ.

Joan and Nick loved to take family vacations- Long Island for the ocean, Lake Mohonk, skating to Strauss Waltzes…

Joan was a devoted and caring mother. She instilled in her six children, a love of nature, artistic creativity, and a strong work ethic.

Joan and Nick ran the nursery in Scarsdale for 30 years before “retiring” to 16 acres in Madison Connecticut. Never folks to sit idle, they soon combined Joan’s background in real estate, Nick’s landscaping vision, thus creating Warpas Meadows, a beautifully designed and landscaped five house-lot subdivision, complete with streams and ponds.

During their time in Madison, Joan and Nick were members of The Shoreline Gardeners Club, The Connecticut Big Tree Society, and The Connecticut Botanical Society. They were ever invested in caring for their own expansive landscaped yard and pond, as well as striving to beautify and preserve their rural town of Madison.

Amid her many endeavors Joan entertained and cooked three course meals for family and friends, always served at a formally set table, happy to add an extra setting at a moments notice. She also hosted large Botanical Society picnics.

Joan continued to love taking photographs her entire life, always a camera strapped around her wrist. She was a fine knitter and created many beautiful sweaters and afghans for all her loved ones.

Over the years Joan and Nick were ever busy and productive, leaving little time for travel. In 1997, as a gift from their son Jim, Joan and Nick traveled to Italy, and had a wonderful time. Nick passed in 2007. Joan and Nick were married 55 years.

Joan was ageless in her zest for life, and always ready to jump at the chance to take an adventure. Well into their 80s Joan and her sister Marie went “gallivanting hither and yon”. The ladies would often set out with a destination in mind, but any open road beckoned, and they did not hesitate to go off the beaten path, just to see what might be around the next bend.

In later years Joan took numerous trips with her grandson Gregory as her sidekick. The islands of Hawaii, the various canyons in the southwest, and at age 90, venturing in a moments notice to see the rugged coast of Maine.

Joan adored her four grandchildren. Playing cards and traveling with Gregory, enjoying dog walks with Thalia, learning about Black Holes from Wyatt, and zoom calls to speak to Wendy in China. Joan always kept abreast of the latest technologies and current affairs. She could be heard singing along on her iPad to Madonna and Lady GaGa, and exclaiming on the “outrageous outfits the ladies get away with wearing!”. Joan was fortunate to have lived a beautiful life full of nature and love. Her favorite places that she spent much time over the years were-Mohonk Mountain House, The Adirondacks, the ocean beaches of Long Island, the towns of Chilmark and Aquinnah on Martha’s Vineyard, and Shoreline Connecticut, especially Meigs Point at Hammonasset.

Joan’s gentle demeanor, even temper, and unbridled enthusiasm made her an endearing and fun spouse, mother, sister, friend and traveling companion. Joan was an abundantly cheerful person, who never had an unkind word to anyone ever, she was known for her politeness, modesty, humility, kindness, and limitless patience…She adored her dogs, all dogs…. and the ocean surf after a storm. Many a time, just as the skies cleared, Joan would say “ let’s drive to see the ocean! Whee!”. Joan loved life to the last, ever exclaiming in awe: “Isn’t it amazing?!”

Joan was predeceased by husband Nick and her sister Marie Kraft. Her sister Janice Coleman passed away shortly after Joan. She is survived by her sister Virginia Stien of West Hartford, Ct., her four daughters; Sharon Williams, of Scarsdale, N.Y., Lynda Williams and Mark Twombly of Madison, Ct., Maureen and Greg Clark of Martha’s Vineyard, Eileen Williams and Ted Salmon of East Haven, Ct., her two sons; Frederick and Lucy Williams of Beijing, China, James Williams and Carole Metsger-Williams of Accord, NY, and her four grandchildren; Gregory Clark, Wyatt and Thalia Salmon, and Wendy Williams. In the words of Queen Elizabeth ll: “Grief is the price we pay for Love”, so, in equal measure to the love Joan filled our hearts with, we now deeply mourn her passing. On behalf of Joan, in her memory, please consider donating to your local animal shelter, MSPCA, and/or The Sierra Club.