Joan M. Sherwood

Joan was born on February 26th ,1935 in Norwich Connecticut to Wilhelmina Adams and Madison Kerving Bryant. Joan was 89 years young when she passed peacefully on November 3rd, 2024.

Joan was raised in Norwich by her mother until Joan was twelve, when unforeseen circumstances caused her grandmother to intervene and raise her. Their bond remained one of her closest until Joan’s grandmother’s passing.

Joan attended NFA in Norwich. Upon graduation, Joan married Cornelis McNamara and they had three daughters. Building a home on family property given to Paul at Gardner Lake where they spent twenty-six years of their life together.

Joan is survived by three daughters; Kim (McNamara) Seaberg and husband Lewis Seaberg, Eileen McNamara and Dawn McNamara. Joan has four grandchildren; Gina Hutchings and Husband Corey Hutchings, Brooke (McNamara) Kaldan and husband Krystian Kalden, Carly McNamara Forbes and Shannon Sadlon. Joan also has one great grandson Ryan Hutchings. Nephews Brian and Kevin McNamara and niece Kate Russo.

Joan also survived by her uncle William Adams, cousins Bill Adams, Carol Veltry, Debra Adams Lehman and husband Peter Lehman. Joan was very close to Carol and Debra.

Joan worked as a secretary for twenty-eight years and retired from the State of Connecticut, Department of Health Services.

Joan was a loving mother, grandmother and caring person. Joan’s fun loving, great sense of humor and caring nature attracted many friends over the years.

Judy Buchart and Arlene Rodman were lifelong friends since grammar school. They remained friends and kept in touch over the years.

Dorothy Smullen was one of Joan’s closest friends. With a friendship over sixty-six years. With Joan being an only child, their family became like cousins to us, spending many years together. There is lots of fond memories at their farm in Preston and our lake property in Oakdale.

Julie Kolashuk also was another very close friend of Joan’s with over sixty years of friendship. Julie’s family also became like our family spending many wonderful years together.

Lori LaSalle and her family were a big part of Joan’s life also. Lori was not only Joan’s hairdresser for over thirty-five years, but a close friend/ family member.

Joan enjoyed playing cards, doing puzzles, reading books and exchanging both with friends. Joan also enjoyed dancing in her later years. Joan enjoyed sending cards and keeping in touch and talking to all her friends and family. In the later years it was by phone.

Mom was not only a mother to us, but our good friend. We could talk to Joan about anything. These are the talks we will miss the most.

We would like to send our heartful thanks to Harrington Court where Joan spent the last eight months. They gave wonderful care, displayed compassion, friendship and understanding to our mother in her stay and especially the last days there. Their kindness and compassion were overwhelming.

Visitation will be held Monday, November 18, 2024 from 2pm to 4pm at the Church and Allen Funeral Home, 136 Sachem St. Norwich with a celebration of life service at the funeral home at 4pm.