Joan Watson McCabe

Joan Watson McCabe was born on June 11, 1935 and passed away peacefully at home with family by her side on December 14, 2021. She is survived by her son Charles Gilliatt and her daughter Claire Wade who affectionately called her “Mum.” She had unwavering dedication to her family, which included her five grandchildren Thomas, Madeleine, Laura, Anna and Sophia. Joan was widowed in 1981, having lost her husband Charles Gilliatt, the father of her children. She later was remarried to Paul McCabe who passed away in 2020.

Joan grew up in Milton, Massachusetts, the daughter of Joan Dulley and Paul Watson with sisters Barbara and Sally. She moved to Andover, Massachusetts to raise her family with Charles. She later lived in Brookline, Massachusetts where she was very involved in her church. Joan enjoyed decades of family gatherings in Little Compton, Rhode Island. Her last years were spent happily at The Jefferson retirement community in Arlington, Virginia where she had a group of dear friends and her daughter nearby. Joan consistently was a uniting presence with her family and worked to nurture those relationships.

She attended Concord Academy and went on to Hollins College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She later received her Master of Public Administration/Public Finance and Budgeting at Northeastern University and a certificate of Theology and Ministry from Boston College. Joan served as an elder care companion well into her later years. Driven by a strong faith in God, her heart’s passion was service to others; her family, friends and her community. She was conscientious and engaged in political and environmental causes. Throughout her eighty-six years, Joan’s loving light touched all those who were fortunate enough to know her and most certainly made the world a better place.

There will be a service for Joan at The Jefferson in Arlington, Virginia early 2022 and another service and burial for her and husband Paul at Forest Hills Cemetery in Boston, Massachusetts in the Spring of 2022.