Joan M. Hunter

This Winthrop Wildcat often reminisced about the wholesome days of old, “I grew up in the

best era there ever was… the 50’s” and was insistent on carrying those “happy days” into every

year of her life. Her parents, Walter and Mary Haley, gifted her a wonderful childhood alongside

her brother, Richard, inclusive of unique experiences at The Boston Garden where her father

was Chief Electrician.

Despite not being one who enjoyed basking in the sun, one fateful visit to the Winthrop shores

proved to change the trajectory of her life. Ascending out of the curl of a crashing wave was

“Paul Hunter, a bodysurfing tall, dark, and handsome man” who stole her heart and in return

gave her his name. Together, they raised four children in ways principled in The Word of God.

Akin to Mary Hatch Bailey, wife of the iconic George Bailey of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Joan was

the unassuming hero of their family. Fulfilled in playing the supportive role to Paul’s larger than

life presence and impact, Joan’s greatest legacy would not be revealed until years following

Paul’s passing.

Detailed in the recently published book, “77 Letters, Operation Morale Booster: Vietnam,”

Joan’s selfless gesture of support and love for our dutiful, young soldiers of the 1960s and early

70s is now ushering a wave of healing, understanding and honor like never before felt by our

Vietnam veterans. As a result, she is referred to as their “Angel” and is touching countless hearts

of those she never met.

Closer to home, she brightened the rooms she entered and enhanced the life of every person

she encountered. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to start “Temporary Solutions,” offering

temporary administrative help to businesses long before temp services were available in the

marketplace. When she had her fill of temping, she got her real estate license and found great

success finding forever homes for families in the Irish Riviera and surrounding towns. As the

shutterbug and photo-historian for her friends and family, she not only created many of the

memories now cherished, she captured them. Further, she created means of revisiting them

through homemade calendars, photo albums, or creative photo gifts. Since pictures are worth a

thousand words, her efficiency in documenting a life well-lived is not only entertaining, it is

inspiring.

What she didn’t say with pictures or words, she said with her actions. She didn’t just talk about

love, she exuded it; she didn’t purport the importance of compassion, she instinctively offered

it. Her motto, “peace at any cost” kept her in alignment with Jesus’ teachings: “Blessed are the

peacemakers, for they shall see God…” (Matthew 5:9) and has now brought her into His

presence to receive her eternal reward in the arms of her Savior and she is reunited with the

love of her life, Paul.

Joan and Paul (Resting in Peace since 1997) are survived by their four children: Maryellen,

Michael (Sue), Bill (Ann), and Susan and ten grandchildren: Nicole, Jon, Allie, Bobby, Jeffrey,

James, Brian, Tia, Mark, and Lisa. Joan is survived by her brother, Richard Haley of NH.

Joan’s celebration of life will commence with a visitation Sunday Oct 2nd 4pm-8pm at

Richardson Gaffney Funeral Home, 382 First Parish Road, Scituate followed by a ceremony at St.

Mary’s Church in Scituate Harbor on Monday Oct 3rd at 10am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Boston College High School’s “Paul J.

Hunter’s Scholarship Fund” or a non-profit benefiting our Vietnam veterans.

The family would like to publicly thank the staff at Village of Proprietor’s Green and Beacon

Hospice for their exceptional care.