Joan Bruce Spahr

Joan Bruce Spahr CLAREMONT, NH -With profound sadness, the family of Joan Bruce Spahr announces her peaceful passing at age 89 on December 25, surrounded by her loving family. Renowned for her compassionate spirit and unwavering dedication to her family, friends and nursing career, Joan’s legacy of love, strength, and determination endures. Born in Claremont, NH on August 26, 1934, Joan was the daughter of Ruth Decost and George Bruce. She was the oldest of three children, survived by her brother Richard (Dick) Bruce and predeceased by her younger sister Judy Williams. Joan grew up in Springfield, VT and graduated from Springfield high school in 1952. She went on to attend The Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Hanover, NH where she made several lifelong friends and started her successful career as a nurse, eventually serving as the Director of Nurses and Education at the Sullivan County Nursing Home in Claremont, NH for over a decade. Joan’s greatest source of pride and joy was her family. She married Alan Spahr in 1961 and settled in Lexington, MA where they had three daughters, Susan Underhill Upton of Scottsdale, AZ, Allison Spahr of Portsmouth, NH and Kristen Cook of Bow, NH. Life with the family was an adventure, moving to Saratoga, California before eventually returning to the East coast and settling in Claremont to be near her parents. Joan is survived by her husband of 64 years, her three daughters, and eight adoring grandchildren, Brett Underhill, Scott Underhill, Alana Murphy, Ryan Estabrook, Nathan Estabrook, Elana Estabrook, Jonathan Cook and Evan Cook, who were the lights of her life. She was a doting grandmother, always ready with a listening ear, a kind word, an endless supply of love, and freshly-baked brownies. Her spirit and spunk will undoubtedly live on in each of them, a testament to the impact she had on the generations she so adored. Joan’s zest for life extended to her community involvement in Claremont. A daily swimmer, avid Mahjong and Bridge player, Joan’s circle of friends and acquaintances was vast and varied. While we mourn her loss, we also celebrate Joan’s impactful life. Her journey was one of giving, caring, and loving unconditionally. A celebration of Joan’s life will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Association https://mda.donordrive.com/ in Joan’s honor. Joan Bruce Spahr’s memory is a mosaic of devotion, resilience, and grace—gifts to all who knew her. Rest in peace, Joan, your love and legacy are eternal.