Obituary of Joan Gradison Coe

Joan Gradison Coe, longtime Belmont Library volunteer, devoted mother and community advocate, passed away unexpectedly on January 10, 2025, at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She was 94 years old.

Born on December 12, 1930, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Joan was the daughter of Willis D. Gradison Sr. and Dorothy (Benas) Gradison. Raised in a home deeply rooted in community service, she was inspired by the public service of her father, who served as Vice Mayor of Cincinnati, and her brother, who was Mayor and later represented Ohio in the United States Congress. Joan graduated from Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati in 1948 and went on to earn an A.B. degree from Vassar College in 1952. During her time at Vassar, one of her study partners was Jacqueline Bouvier, who would later become First Lady, married to President John F. Kennedy.

While on Spring Break in Bermuda, Joan met a fellow college student named Christopher W. B. Coe. They married on January 28, 1953, in Cincinnati, and later separated after 24 years of marriage. The couple initially settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, before moving to Belmont in 1957, where they raised their four children. Joan would call Belmont home for over 60 years.

Although primarily a homemaker, Joan's entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish a home-based typing business in the 1960s, specializing in preparing doctoral theses for college students and local authors in the Boston area. She also took great pride in typing early manuscripts for her children's pediatrician, Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, a renowned international expert on child development and author often called “America’s Pediatrician.”

Inspired by her family's legacy of public service, Joan dedicated 35 years to volunteering at the Belmont Public Library. Her contributions spanned various departments, from assisting with adoption paperwork to maintaining financial records and working in circulation. Joan cherished her time at the library, collaborating with fellow volunteers and staff, and engaging with the library’s patrons. She remained active in her volunteer role well into her 70s.

A lover of flower and vegetable gardening, Joan was an active member of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. She was an exceptional cook who delighted in experimenting with new recipes, particularly international dishes inspired by cooking shows and chefs like Julia Child and Joyce Chen. She was also a devoted fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots and enjoyed her pets, Flavio, a Conure Parrot and Barbato, an Amazonia Parrot who were wonderful company.

Above all, Joan was a dedicated mother who imparted invaluable life skills to her children, teaching them to cook, clean, and do laundry, as well as swimming and waterskiing at the family cottage on Panther Pond in Raymond, Maine. She encouraged her children to excel in their studies and to earn college degrees, believing that education was the key to success. Fiercely independent, Joan remained steadfast in her values and was known for her quick wit, often infused with a delightful dose of sarcasm. Her love and pride for her family were evident in all she did.

Joan was predeceased by her parents, Willis D. Gradison and Dorothy (Benas) Gradison; her former husband, Christopher W. B. Coe who passed in 1998; and her daughter, Sarah Coe Hafensteiner, who passed a day prior to Joan on January 9, 2025.

Joan is survived by three sons, David Coe and his wife Sue Hoadley of Sneads Ferry, NC, Jotham Coe and his wife Linda Jaynes of Niantic, CT, Samuel Coe and his wife Donna Gavel Coe of Burlington, MA.  She was the proud grandmother of Benjamin Hafensteiner, Jacob Hafensteiner, Samuel Hafensteiner, Abigail Jamula, Miles Coe, Bennett Coe, Amanda Morrison, Caroline Coe, and Christopher Coe.  She was the sister of retired Congressman Willis D. “Bill” Gradison of Maggie Valley, NC.  She was also survived by 10 great grandchildren, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who mourn her passing.  

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and medical staff at Mount Auburn Hospital and Sancta Maria Nursing Facility. 

It was Joan’s wish that there be no viewing or funeral services.  Her cremains will be privately interred with her parents at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati at the convenience of the family. 

Memorials in Joan’s name may be made to the Friends of the Belmont Public

Library, at https://belmontpubliclibrary.net/give/donate-to-fobpl/. 

Arrangements under the direction of the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, Burlington, MA.