Joan Patterson Simonds, 88, died on Sunday, July 6, 2014, at Bay Square in Yarmouth, Maine. She was born in New York City on Oct. 21, 1925, the daughter of Grace Virginia Pomeroy Hendrick and George Washington Patterson, both of New York. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Gledhill Simonds, in 1974 and by her brother, George Eustis, in 1978.

Joan attended Chapin School in New York and received her bachelor of arts degree from Sarah Lawrence College.

Following her graduation from Sarah Lawrence, she volunteered as a nurse’s aide at the Grenfell mission in St. Anthony, Newfoundland. Afterward she moved to Washington, D.C. where she worked as a secretary for the State Department and CIA and met the love of her life, Jim Simonds. They married in Virginia in 1948. Shortly thereafter they moved to Eaton, N.H., where they raised their four children and built a business in tree farming. She and her husband were active in their small community, he as a selectman and she as a member of the school board. They were both committed to conservation, helping the town of Eaton preserve Foss Mountain as public property and organizing early efforts to clean up the Saco River. After her husband’s death, Joan continued to live at their lakeside home until 1987 when she moved to Yarmouth, Maine.

Joan was an avid sportswoman. She loved fishing, swimming, and horseback riding which she had learned as a child during summers on her mother’s ranch in Wyoming. She loved tennis, as did her husband, and she continued to play well into her 70s, often with her children and grandchildren.

A forceful, engaged and tireless person she attacked everything she did with zest and ceaseless energy. She was game for any adventure which came her way. She traveled extensively with her husband and family and close friends. Her vegetable garden and her perennial border were great passions, and she derived much pleasure in tending them. She loved dogs all her life, and lived with St. Bernards, Newfoundlands, and laborador retrievers. Joan and her Newfie named Bonaparte were well known for their presence in the Royal River Park in Yarmouth. She also played the piano and knitted beautiful and often very colorful sweaters and blankets for both her family and friends.

A devout Christian, Joan was active in her churches and gave much of herself to this area of her life. Most particularly she was deeply attached to St. Matthews Episcopal Church and its parishioners.

She was a generous supporter of the arts and loved attending concerts and performances of the Portland Symphony, the Portland Opera, and Portland Ovations. She hosted visiting opera performers at her home in Yarmouth.

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Joan was a voracious reader and talented writer. She wrote many lengthy and enthusiastic letters to friends and family. She authored and published her memoirs titled “Joy: People, Places & Scents” and a tribute to her husband, “Jim Remembered — A Sequel.” She shared her love of language and reading by tutoring students in literacy through Portland Adult Education.

Joan, known as “JP,” was a deeply caring mother, beloved by her children, grandchildren, and many cousins. She leaves behind four children: daughter Virgina Simonds and husband John Wieneke of Santa Rosa, Calif.; son Jonathan and wife Barbara of Eaton, N.H.; daughter Moira Simonds and husband Mark Nordenson of Freeport, Maine; and daughter Diana Simonds of North Yarmouth, Maine.

She is also survived by six grandchildren: Courtney Simonds; Bree, Lara and Christopher Nordenson; and Juan and Rene Mesones.

She will be sorely missed by her family and friends alike.

There will be a memorial service celebrating Joan’s life on Monday, July 14 at 4 p.m. at St. Matthews Church in Lisbon Falls, Maine.

The family is deeply appreciative of the loving care she received from the staff of Bay Square as well as from CHANS Hospice Services of Brunswick.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s memory can be made to the General Fund of Saint Matthews Church in Lisbon Falls, Maine.


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