Obituary for Joan Edmunds (Colon) Duncan
Joan Edmunds (Colon) Duncan passed away peacefully on November 13, 2022, at her home in Underhill VT. Joan was a true matriarch of her family and cherished her five children and their spouses, seventeen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. One of Joan’s greatest pleasures was attending countless sporting events, plays, concerts and activities no matter the location or the weather to cheer on her beloved family members big and small. Her support for her family knew no bounds.
Joan was born on September 15, 1936, in Athol MA to Percy Colon and Katherine (Paige) Colon. Joan had two siblings: Frazier Colon of Martha’s Vineyard MA (deceased), and Bruce Colon of Lake Placid NY.
Joan loved animals of every kind, especially dogs and horses, and was an accomplished equestrian, participating alongside her mother and brother in events such as the 50-mile ride in southern Vermont. Joan was also a fierce competitor and accomplished athlete excelling in field hockey, basketball, swimming, tennis, skiing, and sailing. She enjoyed teaching others to swim and coaching field hockey and soccer. Joan also was a volunteer at the New England Aquarium.
Joan was an avid knitter, outfitting everyone with beautiful sweaters, hats, mittens and socks. It was truly an honor to have one of her prized creations. She also was famous for her spaghetti dinners and homemade chocolate sauce on ice cream for dessert.
Joan met her lifelong best friend and spouse of sixty-one years Paul Duncan at the age of seven in North Falmouth MA. She loved traveling and seeing new things. She went on extensive tours of Europe, once with her best friend and another time with Paul and her in-laws. She loved visiting her beloved Bermuda, and bravely drove a small MGA from western Massachusetts all the way to San Francisco and back with a friend during a college summer break.
Joan graduated from Athol High School in 1954 and went on to the University of New Hampshire (UNH) where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1958. After UNH, Joan went on to Wheelock College where she received a Master’s in Education in 1960.
Joan and Paul were married on December 28, 1960, and had five children. Frank Duncan and Fjola (Proppe) Duncan of Needham MA, Paige (Duncan) Manning and Emmet Manning of Underhill VT, Anne (Duncan) Rogan and John Rogan of Foxboro MA, James Duncan and Alicia (Vincent) Duncan of Kennett Square PA, and Edith (Duncan) Story and Scott Story of Williston VT.
Over the years Joan and Paul resided in Newton MA, St Albans VT, Nashua NH, Worcester MA, Dover MA, Petersham MA, Boston MA, Scituate MA, and Underhill VT.
There will be a private service for Joan in the summer of 2023 to celebrate a beautiful life and wonderful legacy.
Donations in Joan’s name can be made to:
Alzheimer’s Association
Help fight Alzheimer’s and support the Alzheimer’s Association at they continue their important work in providing Alzheimer's care and support and accelerating research.
Alzheimer's Association Tribute Donation
Joan was born on September 15, 1936, in Athol MA to Percy Colon and Katherine (Paige) Colon. Joan had two siblings: Frazier Colon of Martha’s Vineyard MA (deceased), and Bruce Colon of Lake Placid NY.
Joan loved animals of every kind, especially dogs and horses, and was an accomplished equestrian, participating alongside her mother and brother in events such as the 50-mile ride in southern Vermont. Joan was also a fierce competitor and accomplished athlete excelling in field hockey, basketball, swimming, tennis, skiing, and sailing. She enjoyed teaching others to swim and coaching field hockey and soccer. Joan also was a volunteer at the New England Aquarium.
Joan was an avid knitter, outfitting everyone with beautiful sweaters, hats, mittens and socks. It was truly an honor to have one of her prized creations. She also was famous for her spaghetti dinners and homemade chocolate sauce on ice cream for dessert.
Joan met her lifelong best friend and spouse of sixty-one years Paul Duncan at the age of seven in North Falmouth MA. She loved traveling and seeing new things. She went on extensive tours of Europe, once with her best friend and another time with Paul and her in-laws. She loved visiting her beloved Bermuda, and bravely drove a small MGA from western Massachusetts all the way to San Francisco and back with a friend during a college summer break.
Joan graduated from Athol High School in 1954 and went on to the University of New Hampshire (UNH) where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1958. After UNH, Joan went on to Wheelock College where she received a Master’s in Education in 1960.
Joan and Paul were married on December 28, 1960, and had five children. Frank Duncan and Fjola (Proppe) Duncan of Needham MA, Paige (Duncan) Manning and Emmet Manning of Underhill VT, Anne (Duncan) Rogan and John Rogan of Foxboro MA, James Duncan and Alicia (Vincent) Duncan of Kennett Square PA, and Edith (Duncan) Story and Scott Story of Williston VT.
Over the years Joan and Paul resided in Newton MA, St Albans VT, Nashua NH, Worcester MA, Dover MA, Petersham MA, Boston MA, Scituate MA, and Underhill VT.
There will be a private service for Joan in the summer of 2023 to celebrate a beautiful life and wonderful legacy.
Donations in Joan’s name can be made to:
Alzheimer’s Association
Help fight Alzheimer’s and support the Alzheimer’s Association at they continue their important work in providing Alzheimer's care and support and accelerating research.
Alzheimer's Association Tribute Donation