Published in the October 26, 2018 edition
MELROSE — Joanne (Carr) “Jo” Field, 84, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully at Oosterman’s Rest Home on Tuesday, October 16, 2018.
Joanne was born on June 10, 1934, one of three children of the late Harris A. and Edith (Peterson) Carr. A true “island girl” Joanne was born and raised on Martha’s Vineyard where she grew up working at the family candy store, Darling’s in Oak Bluffs. She graduated from the MacDuffie School in Springfield and Deaconess Nursing School where she received training to become a Registered Nurse. With a friend from nursing school, Joanne was invited on a blind date. She met Sidney C. Field, they fell in love and were married at Grace Episcopal Church in Tisbury on Martha’s Vineyard. Jo and Sid settled in Melrose to raise a family of three children.
Joanne, lovingly known as “Jo” to all, worked as an R.N. over nearly 40 years at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital. Sharp, and cool under pressure, Jo found great personal rewards in being a nurse. With her experience and training, she saved the life of her own husband, Sid, after he suffered a heart attack. With deep mutual love and perseverance, they relished nearly 60 years of a blessed friendship and marriage. After raising three children, Jo went back to school to receive her bachelor’s in Nursing from Salem State College and continued working in Surgical ICU at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital.
Physically fit and mentally strong, Jo was a member of US Masters Swimming. She felt strongly about teaching all children the skills to swim and taught swimming lessons at the Melrose YMCA where she was a longtime member for many years.
From a young age, Jo had a zest for life, and an adventurous spirit. As a young woman, she learned to horseback ride, and won several equestrian awards. Never one to back down from a challenge, she taught herself to play golf as an adult, and joined Sid for many rounds at Bellevue Golf Club where they were longtime members. A skilled golfer, Jo participated in tournaments with friends and family from Vermont to South Carolina to Arizona.
A Melrose resident of many years, Jo always retained her love of Martha’s Vineyard and shared her connection with the island with her children and grandchildren. Jo took her final and joyous last jump off the famous Edgartown bridge when she was 74, and the next summer attempted water-skiing for the first time. She was also interested in the arts with a love for music, oil painting, arts and crafts, and ceramics. Even into her 80’s she was attending yoga class with her daughter-in-law. In her free time, she enjoyed playing cards especially bridge or “pennies.”
Most of all, Jo was a supportive wife, caring mother and doting grandmother. She was loyal companion to Sid, loved spending time with her grandchildren, and gathering everyone together for the holidays. Jo Field will be remembered for her endless supply of positivity, happiness, luck and frugality. She will be deeply missed, but always lovingly remembered.
Jo was the beloved wife of the late Sidney C. Field, Jr. with whom she shared nearly 57 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Douglas A. Field and his wife Linda of Melrose, Deborah A. MacLeod and her husband Daryl of Melrose, and Carol L. Wilkie and her husband James of Nashua, N.H. Dear sister of Carol Dell of Arlington and Arnold Carr and his wife Vickie of Falmouth. Cherished grandmother of Douglas Field Jr. and his wife Stacie, Elizabeth Field, Christopher Brauer and his wife Deborah, Meghan MacLeod, Meredith MacLeod, Jacquelyn Hagermoser and her husband Neal, Jillian Howell and her husband Brian, Erin Wilkie, and James Wilkie and his wife Amanda. Loving great-grandmother of Rocky, Carter, Thomas, William, Ada, Henry, and Grace.
Relatives and friends will gather in honor and remembrance of Jo’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Thursday, Oct. 25 from 4-8 p.m., and for her funeral service at the First United Methodist Church, 645 Main St., Melrose celebrated on Friday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. Interment at N. Beverly Cemetery. Gifts in Jo’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472. For directions or online tribute visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
