Born in Brockton, Mass., on April 11, 1938, to Mildred and Walter Chessman, Joan passed peacefully in her home with her son, Jerry, 49, and dogs by her side on April 8, shortly before the totality of the eclipse.
Joan graduated from high school in Rocky River, Ohio, and attended Michigan State University. Joan met her husband, Peter Shipman, in San Francisco and raised her family in Rye, N.Y., and also lived in Naples, Fls., prior to Shelburne, Vt. Joan was pre-deceased by her husband Peter in 2009 and happily lived with her son and grandsons, Dylan, 10, and Jerry II, 8, in Shelburne.
Joan was twice-elected president of the Board of Education in Rye. Joan was an ardent supporter of many organizations and volunteered at Planned Parenthood, hospitals, Shelburne Museum, and many other organizations. Joan sang in the Presbyterian Church choir and was a lover of the performing arts and jazz. Joan also was a life-long Red Sox fan, much to the dismay of her New York-loving family!
It took the earth, moon and sun to be perfectly aligned to reclaim this beautiful soul! You will always be in our hearts and minds.
