Joan C. Sweet

Joan began her life on September 22, 1931, the only child of Raymond and Martha Anth in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from Rubicam Secretarial School. While working at Laclede Christy, Joan met the love of her life, Ralph Burnham Sweet, whom she married on January 17, 1953. She continued to work until one week before son Jeffrey was born in 1956. Joan loved being a mother and took much pride in her homemaking skills. In 1958, daughter Nancy was born, and the family spent many weekends boating and successfully taught their 5- and 7-year-old to waterski. Previously, she was a trick water skier with her husband, Ralph.

The family moved from St. Louis to Wheaton, Illinois in 1964 and then to Ridgewood, New Jersey in 1965, where their cherished son Jeffrey, age 9 passed away from cancer. The family was thrilled when their son Andrew was born in 1966, bringing joy into the home again. Sadly, in 1970, her beloved husband, Ralph, age 43, also passed away from cancer.

Joan was a trooper and took her two children and a new puppy, Artie, on many adventures including driving/camping from New Jersey to Florida to visit their grandparents. This family of 3 courageously relocated to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, after Joan fell in love with the beauty of the Cape, which was experienced on a previous getaway weekend adventure. Together, Joan and her two children walked and explored every nature trail and scenic spot on Cape Cod, enjoying clamming, scalloping, crabbing, fishing, biking, picnicking and beaching.

Joan moved to Rock Harbor in 1978, where she joined the Community of Jesus and became a solemnly professed member. She led a life of service, volunteering in many capacities. A proud support member of The Spirit of America Marching band, she walked alongside carrying water and supplies for the band. Her passion for teaching children led her to be the nursery teacher for 15 years, with her last class graduating when she was 81. A companion for the elderly, she also enjoyed doing errands for others and driving them to appointments.

Joan so enjoyed traveling and took many trips to The Holy Land, Italy, England, Russia, Costa Rica, sea expeditions on the West Coast, cruised the Rhine River, and adventures all over the United States. She especially loved Nauset Outer beach with her friend Sally, swimming in the Atlantic Ocean in her eighties and sailing on a friend’s sailboat.

Entertaining was her favorite, she always set a beautiful table and loved to cook and bake. Joan was a “foodie” and found joy in taking her friends to lunch or dinner. She was known for sending cards for all occasions and the secret store where she purchased her cards was never divulged. Joan’s passion for the outdoors was evident in her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens in her yard, which she tended even at 92 years young! An avid birdwatcher, she bought cases of grape jelly, and loved watching her Baltimore Orioles. Practicing Tai Chi was very important to her (up until 2 months before her death) and she dearly loved her Tai Chi group of friends. Her quick laugh, ready smile and upbeat personality even through her own 10-year battle with cancer, was an inspiration to all who knew her.

Joan will be sorely missed by her Community of Jesus family, loving daughter Nancy Sweet Sullivan and husband Michael of Naples, FL, loving son Brother Joel (Andrew Sweet) of Orleans, MA, Uncle Bill Anth and Lee of Florida, nephew Malcolm S. Sweet and wife Christine and friend Judy Neil all of St. Louis, MO and many cousins and nephews.

Kindest thank you to all her caring doctors, nurses and caregivers. Special thanks to Dr Flanigan, Nurse Rose, Dr Herwig, Dr Koff, Nurse Lori, and the extraordinary hospice nurses, who helped us with her final, peaceful journey.

Joan was predeceased by her dear husband Ralph Burnham Sweet, loving son Jeffrey Graham Sweet, parents Martha and Raymond Anth and Georgia B. Anth, In laws Myrtle and John Sweet, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Malcolm and Shirley Sweet and nephew Stuart C. Sweet.

The private wake, funeral and burial were held on March 4th and 5th, 2024 by her Community of Jesus family and were a beautiful tribute to her life.

Smile, laugh, feed the birds, read to a youngster, swim in the bay/ocean, watch a sunset at Rock Harbor, send a handwritten card or try a new recipe in honor of the life of Joan Carol Sweet.