Joan C. Carson, 82, of Boston Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Tuesday December 1, 2020 after a quiet but courageous 9-month battle with cancer.
She is survived by her four children Eric Carson of St. Louis MO, Kevin Carson of Atlanta, GA, Robin (Carson) Thompson of Templeton, MA and Tammy Carson of Quincy, MA; grandchildren Lauren Carson, Charlyne Carson, Kia Carson, Eric Carson, Zoe Carson, Mia Carson, Latasha Thompson, Heaven Thompson, Enya Thompson, and her great grandson Paris Humphrey III. She is also survived by her sisters, Jacqueline Scott of Stoughton MA, Sheila Palmer of Ludlow MA, Dianne Desmond of Amelia Island, FL and many loving nieces and nephews, friends and extended family. She was loved by many and will be missed.
Joan Carson was born September 3, 1938 in Greenwich, Connecticut, daughter of the late Stanley and Ethel “Mudder” Desmond, and one of fourteen siblings. The family later relocated and settled in Savoy, MA. A graduate of North Adams High School, Joan moved to Boston, MA where she raise her family and proudly pursued a career in nursing. Through self-determination and persistence, she quickly progressed through the ranks of nursing from a Certified Nursing Assistant, to a License Practical Nurse degree, to her Associate Nursing Degree, and finally her Bachelors degree in Nursing from Boston State College in 1982. Her education culminated in a Master’s Degree in Education from University of Massachusetts in Boston. Throughout her education Joan continued to work full time at Massachusetts General Hospital as an orthopedic surgery nurse and as a school nurse at Madison Park High School in Roxbury MA. Her smile and positive outlook were enjoyed by all her patients and the students she touched.
Joan has always placed a priority on family. She enjoyed spending time with her many siblings and extended family. Her home was a place of comfort and a gathering point for many of the family’s Holiday events. She had a love for travel with trips to Africa, Israel, and to London England to spend time with her sister Myrtle Blair and her family.
Joan spent her summers in Western Massachusetts as the Camp Nurse at Camp Atwater, with each of her grandchildren individually building a lasting and special relationship to be remembered. Her summer months during her later years were spent enjoying her cabin in Savoy, MA. She loved the outdoors and the peace it brought her. She also enjoyed going to flee market in search of unique antiques. She was truly part of the Savoy community and loved by all. Other joys included day trips to play the slots at Fox Woods Casino and Resorts in Mashantucket, CT with her sister Patricia. In the Desmond family, Joan functioned as a matriarch and cared for many of her sisters and brothers as they went through their own illnesses, which earned her the name “Saint Joan.” She was always there for anyone in need.
The family would love to personally thank the extraordinarily professional care provided to Joan by the entire staff of the Dr. Meghan Shea and the Beth Israel Hospital Oncology Teams, and the hospice services from Care Central VNA of Gardner, MA. This impeccable care afforded her comfort and provided peace for the family.
Because of the COVID 19 pandemic, no gathering will be held at this time. Expected Memorial service to honor Joan will be provided at a later date.