Joan Baxter Fogarty

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved mom, Joan Baxter Fogarty, on January 17, 2025. She was 92 years old. Joan was born on April 5, 1932 in Providence, Rhode Island to John and Alice Baxter. She was known for her generous spirit, fun-loving nature, endless energy, and her love of family and friends. Joan was happiest swinging a tennis racket, soaking up the sun on Second Beach, cooking and baking for our ever-growing family, and hugging her grandchildren. She was a sports fanatic, cheering on her children at their youth and high school games, rooting for all the professional Washington, D.C. teams and of course Tom Brady and her beloved New England Patriots. Joan’s greatest passion was tennis. She spent countless hours on the Waynewood courts and never missed a second of live Wimbledon coverage. Joan enjoyed years of friendship on and off the court with her teammates.

Joan graduated from Classical High School in Providence, Rhode Island in 1950. She attended Pembroke College (Brown University) on a full academic scholarship. She later transferred to Newton College of the Sacred Heart where she graduated in 1954 with a degree in English and Journalism. She married a fellow Newporter, Joseph R. Fogarty, on July 20, 1957.

Her inquisitive mind and love of writing led her to her first job as a reporter for the Providence Journal. She later wrote for the Catholic Virginian and other publications. Her children recall the sound of her feverishly tapping the keys on her typewriter and the high-pitched tone of the fax machine as she scrambled to meet her deadlines.

She raised her six children in the Catholic church and was a founding member and employee of Good Shepherd Catholic Church. For more than 20 years she supported its various ministries, planned liturgies, and assisted her fellow parishioners.

Joan’s greatest joy was the love she shared with her six children throughout her life. Her nurturing nature went well beyond her family. Everyone was welcome in her home and at her table. The more the merrier! Many of her children’s friends considered 915 Emerald Drive to be their home away from home.

Joan is survived by Joseph Fogarty and their six children: John, Anne (Gib), Kate, Mary Beth, Brendan (Suzy) and Megan (Chris), her 15 grandchildren: Gibson, Lauren, Luke, Grace, Ali, Brooke, Cara, Joseph, Kyle, Caroline, Anne, Claire, David, Katherine and Olivia. She is also the proud great-grandmother of Whitney, Corinne, Taliah, Veronica and Genesis. She was predeceased by her sisters Alice, Betty and Kay.

The visitation will be held at Demaine Funeral Home, 10565 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030 on Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 8710 Mount Vernon Highway, Alexandria, VA 22039 on Friday, January 24, 2025 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers please consider supporting Mondloch House and Kennedy Shelter by donating to New Hope Housing.