Joan T. Heald, a cherished member of our family and community, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family, leaving behind a legacy of love, service, and devotion.
Born in Pawtucket, RI, she was the beloved daughter of Clifford A. Trescott and Helen (Pray) Trescott. A proud member of the Class of 1951, Pembroke College at Brown University and the New England Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1951, she dedicated her life to the care and well-being of others.
Her professional journey was one of compassion and purpose, spanning years as a pediatric nurse at Rhode Island Hospital and Miriam Hospital, and culminating as the beloved School Nurse/Teacher at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf. Her gentle care touched countless lives and left a lasting impact on all who knew her.
A resident of Mattapoisett for close to two decades, she retired early and moved to the Village to help care for her treasured grandsons. She embraced her new home with open arms, becoming an active member of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church and the Council on Aging. Her life was enriched by deep friendships, especially within the knitting community, where her intricate cable-knit sweaters became treasured highlights of the church’s Christmas Fair. Every trip to the Village included a drive to Ned’s Point Lighthouse.
In her youth, she delighted in adventures, from riding the ski train to the White Mountains to exploring the National Parks. She celebrated her 80th birthday with a family hiking trip to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. A lifelong gardener, she marked her 50th birthday by transforming her backyard into a lush vegetable haven, sowing seeds of joy and resilience. She found peace and happiness on beaches everywhere. Her love of the ocean started with family summers on the Vineyard and continued with her grandsons by her side at the town beach, watching them grow and thrive. In retirement, she traveled to her bucket list places starting with Hawaii and finishing with many trips abroad.
She was a devoted mother to Dr. Candace Lee Heald of Mattapoisett and a proud grandmother to Nathaniel Fuchs of Rhode Island, and his partner, Dr. Daniel Cubberly, and Walker Fuchs and his wife, Dr. Muriel Solberg, of Connecticut. She was also the treasured Aunt and mentor to a generation of nieces. Her family was her greatest joy, and her love for them was boundless.
A private burial will take place in the spring at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, RI. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com
