Joan Dion

As a youth, Joan attended Troy schools where she played on the basketball team. She became the first in her family to attend college, earning a bachelor's degree from Keene State College. There, she met her husband Norm whom she married in 1964. They had just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in August.

As a career educator and most recently a member of the English department at Franklin Pierce College, Joan inspired generations of students with her love of literature. A popular and respected professor, Joan's signature course was Freshman Composition. She attained her Master's degree and was recognized as Faculty Member of the year.

Joan was an extraordinarily talented and accomplished individual. Over the years she picked up numerous hobbies and pursuits, thoroughly mastering all of them. Joan had a green thumb, cultivating a showstopping flower garden year after year. She also excelled at sewing, knitting, crocheting, baking, cake decorating, furniture stenciling, writing, and instrumental music. She played the accordion and also performed as a lead Steel Drummer in the Tropical Sensations steel drum band.

Joan's many passions included sports, classical music, coffee, Shakespeare, Native American jewelry/art, sun worshipping, shopping, kayaking on Rockwood Pond, and traveling. She made the most of her post-retirement years by seeing the world. She and Norm traveled extensively in Europe, the Caribbean, North America, Russia and China.

Most notably, Joan was a unique force in the world. She lived according to her own principles and was never afraid to speak her mind and stand up for what she believed in.

Her passing is an enormous loss to the Franklin Pierce College community, the Town of Troy, the Trinitarian Congregational Church and many others. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Normand Dion of Troy, and daughters Valerie Dion of New Jersey and Andrea Dion of Utah.

The family is profoundly grateful to the care teams at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Cheshire Medical Center, especially the visiting nurses, for the excellent and compassionate care provided in Joan's final days.

A celebration of life will be held at Fletcher Funeral Home, 33 Marlboro Street, Keene, NH, on Saturday, September 28th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm with a time of remembrance officiated by Rev. Stanley Clark at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan's memory to St Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, SD.