JOAN WALDRON

KEENE, N.H. – Joan O. Waldron died comfortably and at peace on Saturday December 7, 2013 at Prospect Place in Keene, NH. She was born January 18, 1938 the daughter of Thomas P. O’Connor and Ana Luise (Schmidt) O’Connor in White Plains, NJ. Joan graduated in 1956 from Plainfield High School, Plainfield, NJ, and the East Orange General Hospital School of Nursing in 1959 where she earned her R.N. degree. She began her nursing career in Charleston, S.C. at the Hospital Medical School of South Carolina where she was the head pediatric nurse. Throughout her life Joan used her nursing training and her sensitivity, care, and concern to provide assistance for others in their homes and in her neighborhood.
On November 28, 1959 she married Dr. James L. Butterfield and together they raised three children. Life took them from New Jersey, to South Carolina, to Landstuhl, West Germany, and to New Berlin, NY in 1967. While living in New Berlin Joan was an active member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and served on the New Berlin Central School Board of Education. Joan worked for Dr. Richard Hood in New Berlin for a number of years.
After moving to Sidney, NY in 1988 Joan worked at the Sidney Hospital. She married Claude F. Waldron, III on February 12, 1989. Together they enjoyed camping, fishing, eating out, and spending time with family and friends. Joan loved traveling and spending time on the Maine coast. She was an avid reader, spent time antiquing and doing various crafts, and was known for her knitting and needlepoint which continue to warm hands and hearts and decorate the homes of many. Joan’s sense of humor and warm personality put others at ease. She always shared an encouraging word, did just the right thing, or provided just the right thoughtful, helpful, or meaningful gift. Joan’s life was enriched by her friends and their lives are better for having known her.
Joan moved to Keene, NH in 2011 to be closer to her family and to reside at Prospect Place. She enjoyed the residents and staff in this special community where she found the love and support needed to enjoy the remaining years of her life amidst the health challenges she faced. She loved her family dearly and especially valued time spent with her grand-daughters.
Survivors include her son James E. Butterfield and his wife Kathryn of Richmond, NH and their three daughters Kristen, Rachael, and Megan; her daughter-in-law Michele Butterfield, of Portland, ME, and her daughters Siena and Francesca; her sisters Francis Oldehoff of Belvidere, NJ, Caroline Riley of New Berlin, NY, Ruth Marko and her husband William of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Marjorie McKeever and her husband Dalton of Cleremont, FL.; along with a number of nieces and nephews. Joan is pre-deceased by her parents, by her daughter Ruth E. Butterfield, by her son Louis B. Butterfield, and by her husband Claude F. Waldron III.
A Memorial Service for family and friends will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday December 14, 2013 at The United Church of Winchester, Winchester, NH. The Rev. David Hughes will officiate. There will be a time to greet the family after the service. Burial will take place in the spring at St. Andrew’s cemetery, New Berlin, NY. An announcement of these arrangements will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests providing a donation in Joan’s name to Prospect Place, 361 Court Street, Keene, NH 03431 or to HCS Home Healthcare, Hospice, and Community Services of Keene (hcsservics.org), NH. The Fletcher Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Keene, NH (www.fletcher-funeralhome.com) is responsible for arrangements.