Obituary of Joan Stockard

JOAN SPILLSBURY STOCKARD was born in Woburn, MA, to William Henry Spillsbury, horticulturist, and Jean Beohner Spillsbury. She grew up on the family’s Washington Street property which included two houses, orchard, fields, and a number of greenhouses. Educated in the Woburn public schools (class of 1947), Joan then graduated from Smith College (class of 1951). In 1953, she married James Lee Stockard, who passed away in 1966. After his death, she pursued a Master’s degree in Library Science from Simmons College. In 1972, she joined the staff of Wellesley College Libraries from which she retired in 1999. She was a lifelong lover of camping and kayaking, both activities which she continued into her 80s. Joan also enjoyed traveling with family and friends, especially her sister Barbara, visiting many European and Caribbean countries, as well as New Zealand and Mexico. After her retirement, Joan re-kindled her love of art. An accomplished watercolorist, she studied and volunteered at the Lexington Arts & Crafts Society. Joan is survived by her beloved son Christopher and his wife, Heather Tardif Stockard, of Bellingham, WA. Her sister, Barbara S. Hayes predeceased her. No services are planned at this time.