Joan Botham Twaddle

F, #9022, b. Aug 9, 1927, d. May 16, 2020
Relationship4th cousin 2 times removed of Malcolm Kenyon McKown Jr.
Pedigree
ChartsMcQuesten-McQueston Descendants Chart
Father*Arthur Eastman Twaddle b. Aug 2, 1897, d. circa Dec 14, 1975
Mother*Ruth Caroline McQuesten b. Jan 21, 1898, d. Apr 30, 1990

Chronological Events

Birth*Aug 9, 1927 Joan Botham Twaddle was born on Aug 9, 1927 at Manchester, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. 
 She was the daughter of Arthur Eastman Twaddle and Ruth Caroline McQuesten. 
Death*May 16, 2020 Joan Botham Twaddle died on May 16, 2020, at age 92 at Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. 
ObituaryMay 31, 2020  OBITUARY: Miss Joan Botham Twaddle, age 92, passed away Saturday, May 16, 2020 following a brief illness.

Born in 1927 in Manchester, NH, and later raised in Fall River, MA, she was the daughter of Arthur Eastman and Ruth Caroline (McQuesten) Twaddle.

To state her accomplishments is both to illuminate her and to diminish her. Joan enjoyed an incredible academic mind. A facile young student, she advanced two grades in secondary school, and graduated Durfee High School (Fall River, MA) as one of the top-most students of her class. She attended Wellesley College where she earned her Bachelor of Arts, and, graduating too young to be employed, continued to earn her Master's Degree in Education. Her time at Wellesley was one of her most cherished, and defined her interests going forward. Loving learning herself, she became a committed educator and was particularly devoted to the education of young women at a time when this was considered vaguely marginal. Known by the moniker of "Miss T", she was the Headmistress for several years at the Columbia School (later Columbia Allendale) and had leadership roles at several other independent schools including MacDuffie School (Springfield, MA), Barnard School (NYC), and the Cathedral School (NYC). Boxes of letters from former students attest to her ongoing engagement and care of these friends. In her time away from school, Joan enjoyed traveling around the world and often spoke about her time in Spain. She loved traveling anywhere she could tap into her formidable skills with Latin. Despite that linguistic preference, she was one of the very first visitors to China when they opened their borders to Westerners. She brought home several China-made decorative items – an uncanny forerunner in this arena. Throughout her life she continued to involve herself with organizations that advanced women's issues, education and women's education in particular.

Following these themes, Joan served as Secretary of the Fall River Women's Union, President of the Ladies' Benevolent Organization, President of the Women's Club of Newport County, the Club President and Chairperson of the scholarship committee for the Women's Club of Fall River and member of The Fortnightly Club. She loved things that connected and reminded her of her parents, extended family and history of place. She was an active member of the First Congregational Church in Fall River since 1945 where her parents attended service, where one of her brothers was married and where she served as treasurer for many years. She cherished her time in vocal and hand bell choirs and felt deep friendships within the church. While not deeply religious, it grieved her to be apart.

Joan was predeceased by her parents, her two brothers, William Twadell (1998) and recently her younger brother James Twaddle, her sister-in-law Carol and Anne, and nephews Andrew and Daniel.

She is proud of her family and is survived by several loving nieces and nephews; Jack, Megan, Steve, Peter, Lorri, Michael, Amanda, Susie, Susan, Connor, Lucia, Sam, Alistair, Marshall, Garion, Will, Chloe, Nicholas and Samantha. They enjoy reminiscing about Joan and her singular way of living life exactly on her terms. Joan is also survived by her beloved cat "Chester".

The family expressly wishes to thank a long-time family friend Robin Nunes for more than thirty years of service to the Twaddle family. The family would also like to thank the Visiting Nurses Home & Hospice of Portsmouth, RI and the Tiverton, RI Fire Department for their continued and kind support of Joan.

Due to current restrictions on public gatherings, a memorial service will be held at a later date, yet to be determined. The Fall River Herald will provide this information at that time.

Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to the First Congregational Church, 282 Rock Street, Fall River, MA 02720, or to the Tiverton Fire Headquarters, 85 Main Road, Tiverton, RI 02878. For condolences; www.waring-sullivan.com.

Published in The Providence Journal (RI) - Sunday, May 31, 2020.1
 

Citations

  1. [S19] Obituary - Online, Newspaper or Funeral Home.