Joan Nesbitt Schermerhorn

Joan Nesbitt Schermerhorn, beloved wife, mother and “Nana” passed away peacefully on March 10, 2022, in Broomfield, Colorado at the age of 86. She was born on June 11, 1935, in San Francisco, California to the late Joseph Arthur and Helen (Callan) Nesbitt.

Joan was the eldest of three children and grew up in Rye, New York and attended the all-girls preparatory school, Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich, Connecticut. She graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York where she studied economics and political science. After graduation, she worked in the Garment District in New York City, where she enjoyed the freedom and independence the city offered. She went on to study finance at New York University.

Dear friends, Barbara and Gerry Coughlin, introduced Joan to her future husband, Derick Doane Schermerhorn, and they were married in Greenwich, Connecticut on November 19, 1966. They moved to Riverside, Connecticut and were blessed to adopt two sons through the St. Andre Home in Biddeford, Maine. Joan raised and managed her family while remaining very active in the Parish of St. Catherine of Siena and the Greenwich public school system. She later went on to work for Seatek, a small, family-owned tool business.

In 1992, Joan and Derick bid farewell to Riverside and decided to split their time between Sharon, New Hampshire and West Palm Beach, Florida. The snowbird traveling became difficult, and ultimately, they became full time residents in Florida. Despite being “retired,” Joan continued to work in the school district of Palm Beach County for over twenty-five years. As a language arts tutor and substitute teacher, Joan mostly worked with elementary school children. Her incredible patience, compassion, and real love of the children – mostly from families of modest means— made her invaluable. She truly believed “the light would go on” for every child if you were willing to put in the effort with them. She diligently worked through her early eighties and made many close friends within the school district and at her home at La Fontana.

Joan was an avid golfer, just like her mother who had been a highly ranked amateur golfer. She also enjoyed playing bridge with friends and going to the beach. Her love of the warm weather encouraged her to explore the numerous bike paths in Palm Beach, and she was always welcomed with a friendly wave and hello. Joan was known for her needlepoint creations and provided yearly decorations for family Christmas trees.

Joan was predeceased by her husband, Derick in 2005. She is survived by her brother John (Patricia) Nesbitt of Chicago, Illinois and her sister Barbara Barrett of Hilton Head, South Carolina and by numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her two sons, Richard (Cindy) of Broomfield, Colorado, and John “JJ” (Michelle) of Missoula, Montana. She loved her five grandchildren, Richard Jr., Christopher, Dylan, Michael and Hannah. Joan dearly treasured her time with them.

A catholic mass will be held at 10:30am on Friday, April 29, 2022, at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Northglenn, Colorado followed by a private reception. The internment will be at the family plot at the Pittsfield Cemetery in Massachusetts later on this year.

Memorial contributions in Joan’s name may be made to either:

• St. Ann Place (www.stannplace.org) a daytime outreach center for homeless men and women in West Palm Beach, or to,

• The American Needlepoint Guild (www.needlepoint.org), a non-profit organization whose purpose is the education, encouragement and participation in the art of needlepoint.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhighland.com for the Schermerhorn family.