Joan Mary (Rutledge) Smith died Saturday, March 7, 2020 surrounded by family at her home in Peabody, Massachusetts. She was 83. Joan raised seven children with her beloved husband of nearly 60 years, David Thomas Smith.

Born on December 4, 1936, in New Haven, Connecticut, to Constance (Yesmentes) and John Rutledge, she attended Hamden High School, and St. Francis Hospital and Boston College schools of nursing. Later in life she got her master's degree in nutritional counseling at the University of Bridgeport.

Joan's career, in addition to raising their children, was nursing in various forms, including many years in the office of a local cardiologist.

It was a nursing school friend who introduced her to Dave, although the couple had previously attended the same high school without meeting. They married in 1960 and started their family in New Jersey, before moving to Fairfield, Connecticut, where they put down roots with their family for the next 20 years. A job transfer later brought them to Fairfax, Virginia. In their retirement years, they lived first in Boston, then Reading, Massachusetts, and finally Brooksby Village in Peabody, Massachusetts, where they have enjoyed a warm and supportive community.

Joan had many talents, and she especially enjoyed creative projects such as quilting, sewing, knitting, stained glass, and needlepoint. All of her children and grandchildren treasure the many fruits of these labors. They include needlepoint belts, Christmas stockings and cherished quilts. Last Christmas, even as her health was declining, she made 37 personalized pillow cases for everyone in her "immediate" family.

She was energetic and athletic throughout her life, playing tennis, sailing, golfing, biking and skiing, and she remained active in spirit until the end. She had a lifelong love of travel, from early camping trips with young children to a cross-country family odyssey to explorations of the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Australia after Dave's retirement.

Joan had a passion for music and theater performances, particularly those involving her talented grandchildren. She dreamed of being onstage, and once got her wish in a community theater production of "Born Yesterday."

Always with a plan, she created a summer mecca for her far-flung children and grandchildren, centered around their home on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. There she nurtured strong family bonds with memories built on brownies, Mickey Mouse waffles and the ice cream stampede.

Throughout it all, by far her biggest passion and legacy was, with her husband, their seven children and 20 grandchildren, who will remember her always for her enthusiasm, her opinionated conversation, and her unwavering support.

In addition to Dave, she is survived by her children and their families: Kathy (Chris) Vaccaro and their children, Kim (Max) Guillois, Ben, Jenny and Tom; Karen (Tom) Bricknell and their children, Nicki, Josh and Jordan; Michael Smith (Nora Demleitner) and their children, Cordell and Venetia; Kevin (Michelle) Smith and their children, Kallia, Jolie and Kellyn; Mark Smith (Neeta Kantu) and their children, Laila and Anya; Paul Smith (Aaron Sherer) and their children, Dustin, Taylor, Caden and Ryan; and Pam (Brian) Zeiger and their children, Elliott and Poppy.

Joan was predeceased by her parents as well as her brother, Albert Rutledge.

The celebration of life for Joan has been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to: Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B102, Danvers, MA 01923, or at give.caredimensions.org.