Joan Gillespie Fee

Born in New York City she was the daughter of Eugene Faber Gillespie and Mildred Bodkin Gillespie. Joan graduated from the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Georgetown Visitation and the University of Miami. A nationally ranked collegiate tennis player she co-founded the Metropolitan Interclub Tennis League (MITL) inaugurating women’s competition in Westchester and Fairfield Counties. Joan was on the Board of the Eastern Lawn Tennis Association and developed young talent in the Junior Whitman Cup program. Skilled in singles and doubles, Joan was rallying with the pros at the Stanwich Club even post the age of 90.

Joan was devoted to charity work, first at the New Rochelle League for Service where she volunteered thousands of hours at New Rochelle Hospital when she lived with her family in Pelham Manor, NY. Her indefatigable nature had her logging forty-hour weeks to the age of ninety. The beneficiaries of her labor in Manchester were the Healthcare Services thrift exchange, running hospitality at the Southern Vermont Arts Center and the Manchester Garden Club. Joan was an active gardener at her homes, the hard physical labor and planning suited her personality. Joan had a brilliant smile, a keen sense of humor and a charismatic presence. She was a lady with style and elegance apparent at every age. Her crossword skills and love of British murder mysteries never ceased.

Joan is survived by her daughter Pamela Caffray of Old Greenwich, her son Gil Caffray and his wife Pat Caffray of Greenwich and their children Alix and Chase Caffray. Her husband James L. Fee predeceased her.

A private celebration of her life will be scheduled for the Spring of 2024.