Joan Harlowe

In her 90th year, Joan Harlowe of Burke and Lyndon died on February 1 at her home in Lyndonville in the company of her family.

Born in Slocum, Rhode Island, on May 27, 1935, and raised in Providence, Joan attended Lincoln School, Colby College, and Harvard University. She began working as a teacher of elementary and special education students, first in Washington DC and then in Boston, Massachusetts where she lived and raised a family with her first husband, Allan Hobson, for 30 years. A true champion of all her children, Joan was especially proud of her son Ian’s success as founding member of the Specialized Housing independent living community in Brookline.

An invitation to work in the Mayor's Office on Boston's Bicentennial Celebration in 1972 opened the door to a long and productive career in arts administration. After helping to establish the original First Night celebration and other public festivals, Joan ultimately worked for over a decade directing Public Programs in the Department of Education at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

In the 1990s, she became a year round resident of Vermont and joined her present husband and his horses on the north slope of Humphrey’s hill in the town of Burke, where for many years she served as a justice of the peace.

At the same time, she added weaving to her skills and became a founder of the Artisans Guild in St. Johnsbury and sat on the board of Catamount Arts.

Thirty years later, when the horses had all gone to rest, their keepers found winter refuge in Lyndonville, where only a few days ago Joan breathed her last on Imbolc Day.

She is survived by her husband, Brian Kelly, children, Ian, Chris (Mary Todd), and Julia Haggerty (Mark), stepchildren Thomas Kelly (Marisa), Stephen Kelly (Kelly), Susannah Kelly, and grandchildren, Henry and Chance Hobson, Lucy and Jude Haggerty, True and Jack Kelly, and Claire Kelly.

Joan will be fondly remembered by family and friends for her warmth, generosity, and authenticity. A spring memorial service is planned.

The family thanks the good people of Compassionate Journeys, NVRH, and Caledonia Home Health and Hospice for their care and support in the past month.