Lyme, NH – Joan Wing Astley, 82, died Saturday, October 5, 2019, at Lebanon Center Genesis Eldercare.

She was born September 5, 1937, in Hanover, NH, a daughter of Harold and Lillian (Thompson) Wing. Joan grew up in Lyme and graduated from high school in Orford, NH, at age 16 before attending Mary Hitchcock School of Nursing in Hanover. Joan was married to Hardman Astley June 19, 1959, in the Lyme Center Church. Together they made their home in Wilder, VT, where they started a family. After receiving her nursing degree, Joan continued working at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanover for 36 years, serving nights in the Emergency Room for many years. After retiring, the Astleys built a home in Lyme Center, where they lived until recently.

Joan enjoyed reading, cooking, quilting, needle work, sewing and knitting, including knitting hats for newborns at MHMH. She also enjoyed researching the history of her family in Lyme and published The High River Meadow, a chronicle of Lyme's Stark family. When her children were young, she was a Girl Scout Leader for several years and volunteered at Hanover Swim Team meets while her children were competing. After retiring, she spent time with her husband Hardy traveling to many places throughout the US and Canada including two trips to Alaska in their camper. They enjoyed hiking throughout the Presidential Range, camping, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and canoeing. She was a talented piano player and she and her husband enjoyed music together.

She is survived by her daughters Jane Astley and her partner Craig Taylor of Barrington, NH, and Sara Newcity and her husband Victor of Hartland, a son Hardman "Hank" Astley and his wife Beth of Anchorage, AK and grandchildren Trishia Brooks, Olivia Newcity and Nathan Astley.

The family would like to thank all the many caretaker, friends and neighbors who provided supported Joan and Hardy while Joan was ill.

Calling hours will be held at the First Baptist Church of Lyme in Lyme Center on Monday, October 14th, from 11 a.m. to noon with a funeral service at noon. A reception will follow in the church hall. A private burial will take place later in the Hartford Cemetery.

Condolences may be made to Joan's family in an online guestbook at knightfuneralhomes.com

In lieu flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to:

Bayada Hospice Foundation, PO Box 1590, Norwich, VT 05055,First Baptist Church of  Lyme Center Church 177 Dorchester Road, Lyme, NH 03768, Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O. Box 5030 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030, or Parkinson's Disease Association, PO Box 2191, South Burlington, VT 05407