Joan Ruby (Rand) Hayes, 86 passed away peacefully at her home in the Gloucester, MA neighborhood of Lanesville on Monday, April 20, 2026. She was born March 24, 1940 in Norton, MA. Joan was the daughter of the late Hollis and Catherine (Little) Rand, who were born in Braintree MA and Middlesborough England, respectively. She was the second of four daughters.
Joan was a lifelong champion of humanity and had as pure a heart as could be found. She met her first husband, Charles F. (Charlie) Belcher III while living in Winthrop, MA and working as an airline hostess (e.g., flight attendant) for North East Airlines. They were married on April 4, 1964 and settled in Melrose, MA where they raised their two sons. Joan volunteered as a Cub Scout den mother, and at Melrose's Franklin Elementary school. After meeting Charlie, she learned to ski, which became a life-long passion she enjoyed until after her 80th birthday.
As an active member of her adopted town of Derry, NH following the family's move there in 1977, Joan worked at the Country Gentleman clothing store before taking a position as a secretary in the Derry school system. She retired from her position at Derry Village School after 20 years. During this time, Joan was instrumental in the creation of the Parents of Pinkerton Students (PoPS) booster club for Pinkerton Academy's band and initiated the Derry Village School's ski club.
Joan married David F. Hayes, Esq. of Melrose, MA on October 26 1991 following the death of her first husband. They built their house in Lanesville in 2001 on property that had been in David's family since 1958. She and David were happily married for over 30 years before David passed in 2022. She was actively involved in the Gloucester community. Joan frequently volunteered at the Lanesville Community Center, where she was presented the prestigious "Lanesvillian Award." She also enjoyed availing herself of the tremendous art, music, and beach opportunities Gloucester offers. She shared David's passion for upland game bird hunting as a 30-year member of The Timberdoodle Club in Temple, NH, handling the four trained hunting dogs she and David adored over their years together, and doting on her grandchildren.
Joan is survived by her son Gary Belcher and his wife Eileen Fitzgerald of Gloucester, MA; her son Craig Belcher and his wife Pamela (Ford) Belcher of Eliot, ME; her granddaughter, Amy King and her husband Tristan; her grandson Ryan Belcher; her grandson-in-law Aidan Fitzgerald; her sister Sally Child; her sister Pamela DeLong and her husband Paul; and many nieces and nephews. Joan is predeceased by her parents, Hollis and Catherine Rand, her sister, Jane Justice and husbands Charles F. Belcher III and David F. Hayes, Esq.
Following cremation, Joan will be laid to rest next to her first husband, Charlie, in the Forest Hill Cemetery in East Derry, NH. Following cremation, calling hours will be held at Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry, NH, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to either Gloucester's Lanesville Community Center, or the cancer research center or animal shelter of your choice. A celebration of life will follow on Saturday, July 11, 2026 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm at the Lanesville Community Center, 8 Vulcan St., Gloucester, MA.