Joan Marie Johnson, 83, of Thetford, Vermont, died in comfort October 22, 2018, at home on Thanksgiving Farm, after a brief experience with pancreatic cancer. Joan leaves a blended family of eight (8) children, twelve (12) grandchildren, five (5) great grandchildren, and her beloved husband, Charles Johnson. Joan was born on September 30, 1935, in Amsterdam, NY, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston University.  She was a joyful, innovative artist. Her favorite medium was three-dimensional "box art," evocative story-filled vignette motifs that she created for family and friends, usually with touches of her favorite color, lavender. Joan enjoyed hikes through the woods at Thanksgiving Farm, with her favorite Bernese Mountain Dog, Rumi. She was known for her extensive vegetable and flower gardens, and for her talents as a gourmet cook. Joan was also an accomplished collector and dealer of exquisite rustic antiques, which she displayed and sold for many years at her shop in Quechee, VT. Her favorite art items often found their way into the couple's home, making every nook and corner glow with loving charm and grace. Joan enjoyed visiting New York City, where in earlier years she was a skilled competitor in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, winning numerous ribbons in the Terrier Breed category. One of Joan's favorite stops in Manhattan was the Carlyle Hotel, where she enjoyed high tea and jazz between visits to a variety of shopping destinations. Joan's other favorite pilgrimages included Salzburg, and Vienna, Austria, where she and Charles enjoyed the annual Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Concert, and Caneel Bay Resort on St. Johns in the U.S. Virgin Islands, to unwind amid pleasant Caribbean breezes, melodies, and sunsets. Her children are Joan "Joanie" Beneduce of Las Vegas, NV; John McNear of Darien, CT; Lawrence Johnson of Ewa Beach, Oahu, HI; Claude Johnson of Greenwich, CT; Claire Johnson Fay of Alexandria, VA; Christina Johnson of Mill Valley, CA; and Charles "Charlie" Johnson of Nürnberg, Germany. She was predeceased by a beloved daughter, Kimberly "Kim" Maskelenko of San Diego, CA.

A Meditation prayer will take place precisely the same time around the world. For any who will be able to attend, the physical service is held at the Lyme Congregational Church, in Lyme New Hampshire. There will be no speeches, no recordings, and when the service is complete, people in attendance may go in peace. Pastor Amy Hayden will commence the service with an announcement of why we're here, and what will take place, and she will state simply on behalf of the congregation that Joan was a long-time member.