Retired director of Tall Spire Nursery School

 

OCEAN PARK, ME — Joan Gray Chetwynd, 86, of Ocean Park, Maine and formerly of Wakefield, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Wednesday afternoon on November 30, 2022, at home surrounded by her family.

Loved by many, Joan was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts on May 6, 1936, a daughter of James E. and Pearl I. (Furlong) Gray. Joan graduated from Charlestown High School and went on to Salem University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Education.

Joan’s caring nature and her passion for early education led her to a career at Tall Spire Nursery School in Wakefield, Massachusetts. Her journey at Tall Spire began in 1974 where she was a teacher and eventually became the director. After an incredible 34 years of teaching, Joan retired in 2008. Joan’s ability to create a positive and engaging learning environment has impacted many children’s lives, even to this day.

We know that Joan was welcomed to God’s Kingdom as she was a woman of great faith. She was committed to her church and often volunteered to teach Sunday school, lead youth fellowship, and participate in the Refugees Immigration Ministry (RIM) which aims to support refugees and asylum seekers with connection to the interfaith community.

Joan also had a love of nature. She enjoyed watching birds and spending time in her flower garden. Most of all, she cherished the time she spent with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. She will be sadly missed.

She was predeceased by her first husband Robert “Bob” Austin, her second husband William “Bill” Chetwynd, her son Mark Austin and siblings Dorothy Gray McCarthy and Robert Gray.

She is survived by three daughters, Susan Collard, Beth Austin and significant other Robert Desrochers and, Lauralyn Patterson and husband Charles. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Brittney and husband Andy, Brianna, Austin, Sophie, Clementine, Joseph and wife Lacey, Tyler, Jacob, Christopher and Erica. She was also survived by four great grandchildren, Juniper, Audrey, Jayson and Jaimeson.

A funeral service and celebration of Joan’s full life will be held on Wednesday, December 7, at First Congregational Church, 121 West Foster St. in Melrose at 11 a.m. Lunch will be served immediately following the service.

To view Joan’s memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s name to Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Fl. 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601 or to Hospice of Southern Maine, 390 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME. 04074.