Joan B. Hodge

CHATHAM – Joan B. Hodge of Chatham died peacefully at Beth Israel Hospital in Plymouth on March 6, 2017. Joan, 72, was born in Hartford, CT, the daughter of Florence and John W. Brereton. Joan was a 1966 graduate of the University of Connecticut and is survived by her husband Norman Hodge, III who she met when while working on the campus radio station WHUS. Joan is also survived by her brother James Brereton of Harwich and her 3 daughters: Carolyn of Sausalito, CA; Kimberly Terrio and her husband James of Chatham, MA. and Kathleen of Waltham, MA. Her grandson Jake Walter Terrio became the love of her life, second only to her husband.

After marrying in Newington, CT, Joan joined Norm at LAJES Field, Air Force Base on Terceira in the Azores, Portugal where she was employed as the civilian records management officer for the NATO HQ group while Norm served as a Captain in the USAF. Their first daughter Carolyn was born there and Joan and Norm travelled throughout Europe before moving to Worcester MA in 1970. Their second daughter Kimberly was born while they were in Manchester, CT.

Norm’s business took them to Rochester NY, back to Worcester and then to Charlotte, NC where their third daughter Kathleen was born. From 1978 to 1999, they lived in Holden, MA. Joan received her Master’s in Applied Mathematics from Worcester State and worked for the Hanover Insurance Company. They spent summer vacations on Cape Cod where Chatham became her favorite place. Finally Joan got her wish for a summer cottage on Ridgevale Beach. The summer place became her permanent residence and she was forever hooked on Chatham!

Joan was active in the Newcomers Club, became an early member of the Sand Dollars Investment Club, an active member of the Chatham First Night Committee and a member of the Monomoy Yacht Club.

Joan was happiest of all while bareboat chartering in the BVI, and sailing in Chatham waters on her sailboat “Chattitude.” She had a wonderful sense of humor that she shared while enjoying rum drinks and sunsets with friends and family. She will be greatly missed by her family and all those who had the pleasure of knowing her. Thank you to everyone who has shown kindness and friendship to Joan and her family over the years.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 9th from 5 PM to 7 PM at Nickerson Funeral Home, Chatham. Her Funeral Service will be held on Friday, March 10th at 10:30 AM in the Nickerson Funeral Home, followed by burial in Union Cemetery.

For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com