Priscilla Sedgwick

November 13, 2013

1926-2013 Joan W. Wheeler, daughter of Donald M. Weston and Mary L. (Church) Weston passed away peacefully at sunrise on October 21, 2013 at the Kimball Farms Nursing Facility, Lenox, MA. Joan was born in Pittsfield, MA on August 14, 1926 and lived at Holmesdale on Holmes Road. She was an accomplished equestrian and active with the Pittsfield Riding & Polo Club during her youth. After matriculating from The Ethel Walker School and The Finch College, Joan eventually moved to Wyebrook Farm, Loudonville, NY. She spent the next 50 years of her life living in Loudonville, where she raised her family and created many life-long friendships before returning to live out her remaining years in her beloved Berkshires. Throughout her life Joan was an active volunteer and fundraiser, donating her time and energy to numerous community service organizations like The St. Margaret's Center (formerly Children's Hospital), St. Peter's Church, The Albany Institute, The Literacy Foundation, The Trinity Institute, The Fort Orange Garden Club, The Schuyler Meadow's Club, and serving as a Trustee at The Salisbury School, Salisbury, CT. Joan enjoyed going to the theater and museum exhibits in Albany, New York City, and Williamstown. She frequently traveled with family and friends in the U.S. and Europe and particularly enjoyed her summertime visits to the Berkshires, Hyannis Port and West Falmouth, MA. Throughout her life Joan was an enthusiastic horticulturist, gardener and participated in many flower shows during which she was frequently recognized for her creative arrangements. Her outdoor and athletic interests included tennis, paddle tennis, golf, and skiing. She loved being around her animals, pets, and backyard wildlife, reading autobiographies and mysteries, being amused by Peanuts and Snoopy comics, listening to big band music and popular show songs, savoring chocolate, building puzzles and watching tennis, golf, and ice hockey on TV. Playing bridge with her friends was one of her favorite pastimes. Joan garnered much pleasure from cooking and preparing meals for family and friends with all the accoutrements that would have made her cousin Julia Child proud. As a devoted mother, grandmother (Nana) and aunt (Joanie) throughout her life, Joan delighted in spending time with her family and was an avid supporter of her "boys" and grandchildren as they participated in their various athletic events and other activities. We are blessed to have learned from Joan's great-spirit, perseverance, integrity, kindness, good humor, laughter, warm smile, graciousness and appreciation for life. Her physical presence in our lives will be dearly missed by family and friends who will now savor the memories and her spiritual presence. "And therefore I look upon everything as a brotherhood and a sisterhood, and I look upon time as no more than an idea, and I consider eternity as another possibility, and I think of each life as a flower"(Quoted from a poem by Mary Oliver). Joan was pre-deceased by her brothers Donald M. Weston, Jr. and Peter B. Weston. She is survived by her sons Thomas B. Wheeler, East Longmeadow, MA and Jeffrey W. Wheeler, Concord, MA and five grandchildren Jay, Tucker, Katie, Annie, and Ben; as well as her step-son Niles W. Wheeler, Millbrook, NY, nephew Charles W. Wheeler, Saratoga, NY, nieces Sara and Belle and nephew Silas of CA. Her grandfather, Bryon C. Weston, former Massachusetts Lt. Governor, founded the Bryon Weston Paper Company, Dalton, MA where her father and many family members enjoyed successful careers. Bryon's auspices helped Williams College purchase the athletic fields that have been known as Weston Field for 128 years. Her maternal grandfather, John H.C. Church, President of the former Monument Mills, Housatonic, MA, a manufacturer of textiles and U.S. Army Uniforms in the early 1900'S, and mother, Mary L. Church, were also known for their community involvement and philanthropic interests. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to: St. Margaret's Center, Attn: Deputy Director of Foundation, 27 Hackett Boulevard, Albany, NY 12208.