Joan (Powers) Haskell, 86, formerly of Franklin, died November 6 in the Maples Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Wrentham. She was the wife of the late Frank R. Haskell who died in 2000.
Born in Newmarket, New Hampshire, May 19, 1932, the daughter of the late Ernest and Esther (Wentzel) Aldrich, Mrs. Haskell had lived in Franklin for most of her life.
She was a 1951 graduate of Franklin High School who, despite never having attended college, placed tremendous value on education and lifelong learning.
Joan was a very spiritual woman who had been an active member of several churches in Franklin including the United Methodist Church, the former Calvary Baptist Church, Franklin Baptist Church, and most recently the Grafton Baptist Church.
Two of her favorite pastimes involved studying the Bible and singing in the choir.
She was an avid reader, nature lover, and gardener who could make just about anything grow. She also enjoyed the ocean and lighthouses, listening to a variety of music, animals, especially cats and Boston sports teams, the Red Sox above all. Anyone who knew Joan was touched by her smile, determination and generous nature.
She is survived by her children, Richard Haskell and his wife Linda of Foxboro, Steven Haskell and his wife Marilou of Barre, Vermont, Pamela Hunt and her late husband Paul of Lincoln, Rhode Island, Donna Pezold and her husband Warren of Bridgewater, New Hampshire, Cindy Haskell of Gilmanton, New Hampshire and Carolyn Haskell and her husband Tom (Pezold) of Stockton Springs, Maine.
She was the sister of the late Eunice Clark.
She is also survived by her grandchildren, Shaun Haskell and his wife Susan, Heidi Kuczmiec and her husband Chris, Sheena Franklin, Patrick Haskell and William Hunt.
She is also survived by her 11 great-grandchildren, Emily, Zachary, Kaitlyn, Cameron, Shawna, James, Leah, Ciara, Ashlyn, Anneah and Patrick. She also is survived by her 4 great-great-grandchildren, Alivia, Aubrey, Annabelle and Penelope.
Her funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 15 in the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) 131 Main Street, Franklin at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in Union Street, Cemetery, Franklin.
Visitation will be on Thursday from 10-11:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the Activities Fund of the Maples Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, 90 Taunton Street, Wrentham, MA 02093.
Joan’s family would like to thank the staff of the Maples and most especially the Jamesport Unit for the caring and outstanding attention they gave her during her many years with them. The family would also like to thank Pastor Dave Meunier, Jerry Scotto and Donna Martinkus of the Plainville Baptist Church who visited and brought the word of God to her weekly at the Maples over many years.