Joan Louise Howard

She was born in Peabody, MA, on May 16, 1931, the daughter of George A. and Arlean B. (Stanton) Spear.

On June 12, 1948, the day after graduating from Keene High School, she married Russell W. Howard in Keene. They spent 60 years together before his death in 2008.

Mrs. Howard worked at Bowler, Jones and Page for 33 years as a seamstress.

She was a member of the United Church of Christ. She participated in the Cheshire Craftsmen and the Rainbow Girls. She was also a member of the Cheshire Quilters’ Guild where she shared a special bond with the “Sweeties”. Joan had a green thumb and was known for her grand prize winning flowers that she proudly displayed at the Cheshire Fair. Irises were her specialty. She took much pleasure in bird watching, was an avid reader, and a devoted Red Sox and New England Patriots fan.

Joan is survived by her three daughters: Gail M. Wittes and her husband John of Batavia, OH, Robin K. Rieseberg and her husband Christian of Hoover, AL, and April L. McElhinny and her husband David of Raymond, ME; six grandchildren: Erin Dougherty and her husband Mike of Cincinnati, OH, Jay Wittes of Nantucket, MA, Edrick Wittes of Westbrook, ME, Graham Rieseberg of Hoover, AL, Taylor McElhinny of Portland, ME, and Cody McElhinny of Raymond, ME; one great-grandchild Max Dougherty of Cincinnati, OH; one sister-in-law Kathy Howard of Keene, NH; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband Russell W. Howard and her brother Richard H. Spear.

The family would like to thank their cousins, her quilting girlfriends and neighbors Laura and Steve for all their help and support.

There will be no public calling hours. An informal gathering of remembrance for Mrs. Howard will be held on Saturday, July 5, 2014 at 4 p.m. at the Howard residence. A private, family burial will take place at a later date at the family plot in Woodland Cemetery.

In Lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions, in Mrs. Joan Louise Howard’s name, may be made to the Community Kitchen, 37 Mechanic Street, Keene, NH 03431.

Fletcher Funeral Home and Cremation Services, (www.fletcherfuneralhome.com), 33 Marlboro St, Keene, has been entrusted with the arrangements.