Joan M. Demaree

A loving wife and mother, enthusiastic grandmother, and dear friend, she will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Joan was born to the late John Thomas and Rie Cranney Mathews on September 9, 1939, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She spent her younger years in McCall, Idaho, which she described as an idyllic place for a child. Joan moved to Ogden, Utah when she was eleven and attended Ogden High School, where she swam AAU competitively, was a member of Job's Daughters, and enjoyed skiing and participating in drama. Joan was a good student and received a scholarship to attend Utah State University.

In December of her freshman year, while working at a local department store, Joan met the most important person in her life -- Jim Demaree, a lieutenant at Hill Air Force Base. Although she wanted to finish college, when Jim completed his commitment to the Air Force and moved east to start his career, Joan followed her heart. On July 31, 1959, Joan and Jim were married in Ogden, Utah. They began their married lives together in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, where Joan continued her studies at Columbia University.

Joan soon became a mother and devoted her life to her family -- raising her children and supporting Jim in his career. Their family enjoyed living in many interesting and fun places, including Chicago, Illinois, Memphis, Tennessee, Cleveland, Ohio, Redding, Connecticut, Clarkston, Michigan and, liking it so much, returning to Redding Connecticut. They made many good friends in these places who remain dear to them to this day.

Joan described being a mother as the "best job ever." In addition to being a loving and caring mother and wife, she also decided to enter the job force as a real estate agent once her children were grown. Having purchased and sold many of her owns homes over the years, she was a successful agent in Redding, Connecticut for 22 years.

Joan and Jim retired to Orleans, Massachusetts in 2005, where they embraced their lives on the Cape, making very special new friends. They enjoyed hosting their friends, old and new, and their family, with evenings centered around the wonderful dinners Joan made. Joan and Jim loved sunsets at Skaket Beach with friends, family and a cocktail, and vacations in Hawaii with Joan's brother and sister-in-law. Joan was an avid fan of the Boston Celtics and her Orleans Firebirds, never wanting to miss a game or getting the signatures and stories of the young players.

One of Joan's greatest joys was her grandchildren. She was so proud of them and enjoyed each grandchild's unique personality. She would create a one of a kind birthday cake for each grandchild on his or her birthday. She was a passionate follower of their sports -- never willingly missing a game.

Joan is predeceased by her beloved daughter, Lisa. She is survived by her husband of 59 years James W. Demaree, her daughter Leslie D. Goldsmith (husband: Edward W. Goldsmith), her son Marc M. Demaree (wife: Jennifer A. Demaree), her grandchildren Marisa and Benjamin Goldsmith and Eleanor and Kate Demaree, her sister Karen K. Mathews and her brother John T. Mathews (wife: Marta Mathews).

All wishing to celebrate Joan's life are invited to join her family Saturday, Feb. 23rd at Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, MA. Visitation will be from 9:30 am - 11 am. A funeral service will be held at 11am at the funeral home; Burial following at Orleans Cemetery.

Donations in Joan's honor may be made to the Orleans Firebirds Baseball Club at P.O. Box 504, Orleans, MA 02653 or www.orleansfirebirds.com; or to Orleans Improvement Association.

For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com .