Joan Simonson Howe

Joan Simonson Howe was born on January 11, 1930 in Montclair, New Jersey to Walter and Carol Simonson. She died on July 21, 2019 at Liberty Commons in Chatham, Massachusetts. Joan received her Bachelor of Science Degree with Highest Honors from Douglas College of Rutgers University where she was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society. During the Korean War she worked for several years in the Engineering Department of Republic Aviation. In 1951, Joan married David Shugg Howe. They were married for 59 years until David’s death in 2011. Also preceding her in death were her parents, her brother Robert Burr Simonson, brother-in-law John Greeley Howe, and nephew John Greeley Howe, Jr. Survivors include her son William Speir Howe of Chatham, Massachusetts, her son David Shugg Howe, Jr. of Eastham, Massachusetts, daughter Carol Ann (Howe) Conners and son-in-law Gregory Nielsen Conners of Loleta, California; her five grandchildren: Andrea Boomer, Melissa Boomer, Kayla Howe, Joshua Howe, and Shane Howe; her brother Neal Simonson of Tuscon, Arizona; her cousin Carolyn Ross of Chatham, Massachusetts; her sister-in-law Jan Howe of Palmyra, Virginia; her nieces: Sharon Simonson, Julie Howe Meserve, Michelle Rosman, Anne Hartner, Kathy Hassel, Jamie Zelano, and Marea Mott; and her nephews John Simonson, Brian Simonson, Robert Simonson, Jr., Stephen Howe, and Rick Howe. Joan and Dave moved their growing family to Chatham, Massachusetts in 1960. In 1964 Joan began her high school math teaching career at Chatham High School. In 1969 Joan began teaching at Nauset Regional High School from which she retired in 1993. Joan earned a Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics from Bridgewater State College in 1986. Joan was a member of the Church of the Holy Spirit where she was very active in their outreach ministries including serving on the Justice and Peace Committee, volunteering for the Giving Garden and Food for Kids. For many years she sang in the church choir. In retirement Joan served the Town of Chatham on the Human Services Committee. Joan, her husband, David and their children were active for many years in musical productions of the Highlanders and the Academy of Performing Arts in Orleans, Massachusetts. They also sang for many years in the Chatham Chorale. Joan had been a big gardener spending her whole life growing flowers, berries and vegetables for her family. Joan was an expert knitter and made beautiful sweaters for all her family members, finishing her last one for her grandson, Shane just a few months ago. She was also an amazing seamstress. Joan enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, sailing, boating and digging for clams. Joan’s Celebration of Life will be Saturday, September 21, 2019, 11:30 AM at The Church of the Holy Spirit, 204 Monument Road, Orleans, Massachusetts. There will be a reception following the service in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Joan’s honor to support Food for Kids which can be made out to The Church of the Holy Spirit with Food for Kids in the memo, 204 Monument Road, Orleans, Massachusetts 02653. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.