NEW LONDON, NH — Joan MacLachlan Newkirk passed away in Newport, NH, on December 23, 2018, after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Although she led a quiet life, Joan touched so many as a caring nurse and inspiring independent woman.
Joan was born in 1932 in West Orange, NJ, to Theodore and Ethel (Bancroft) MacLachlan. A daughter of a career firefighter and commissioner of police in Montclair, NJ, after graduating from Montclair High School in 1950, Joan received her RN from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in New York City and went on to peruse a bachelor’s degree at The University of Virginia School of Nursing.
Beginning in 1956, Joan and her first husband, Alfred Wallace Shriver, made a family with their three children – Virginia Lee MacLachlan (nee Shriver), Trip (Alfred Wallace III) Shriver, and Charlotte Ann Shriver Sargent. For the following decade, Joan continued to live and work in Virginia and North Carolina, holding esteemed positions including Director of Nursing at Gastonia Community Hospital in Gastonia, NC, and volunteering her time to civic organizations such as the Young Republicans.
In 1965, Joan returned with her children to her hometown of Montclair, NJ, where she continued her nursing career at Mountainside Hospital. There, Joan was a co-founder of the local youth ice-hockey club, serving her own son and countless others throughout North Jersey. Together with her parents and children, Joan enjoyed seaside weekends in Ocean Grove, NJ.
In 1972, Joan and her children moved to Norwich, VT. There, Joan began a long and distinguished career at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital. Returning to higher education while working full time and parenting singly, Joan received a further degree from New England College and a master’s degree from Dartmouth College. Her professional accomplishments were recognized through her promotions through nursing and management to Assistant Director of Nursing. During her tenure in this position, Joan oversaw the practical teaching partnership with Northeastern University and Colby Sawyer nursing programs.
In 1976, Joan wed George Robert Newkirk. Joan and George enjoyed a long and loving marriage. They resided in Hanover and Lebanon, NH, until they retired from Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital and Dartmouth College, respectively, and then settled in New London, NH. They became dedicated grandparents, with many of their grandchildren in their care weekly. Joan also enjoyed attending antique auctions, volunteering at Wm. Smith’s Auction House in Plainfield, NH, and together with her dearest friend, Marsha Peirce of Bradford, VT, collecting and restoring furniture. Joan and Marsha remained the best of friends, Marsha traveling 120 miles weekly for care visits during Joan’s declining health.
Joan leaves her loving and devoted husband, George Robert Newkirk; Daughter C. Ann Shriver Sargent – of Norwich, VT, together with son-in-law David R. Sargent and grandchildren Tucker, Timothy, and Charlotte; son, Trip Shriver – of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, together with daughter-in-law Ulka Shriver and granddaughter Sabina; daughter Lee (Pope) MacLachlan – of Rochester, NH, together with grandchildren Nathan, Joanna, Rachel, Jared, Christina, Andrew, Rebecca; step-son, Robert “Bob” Newkirk – of New London, NH, together with daughter-in-law Caroline Newkirk and grandchildren Corinne, Catherine and Jessica; and step-daughter, Susan Newkirk, of Lebanon, NH.
Chadwick Funeral Services of New London, NH is handling arrangements. There will be a celebration of Joan’s life with her family at the First Church of Christ at Dartmouth College, Hanover on December 27th at 10:30 AM.