Crowe, Joan

Joan Linton Crowe, 93, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2025, after a life filled with love, humor, and dedication to others.

Born in Montclair, New Jersey, to Philip and Grace (Linton) Rutty, Joan grew up with her older sister Isabelle and later half-brother Bob. Joan graduated from Montclair High School in 1950 and from the University of Miami of Ohio in 1954 where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority.

Joan met the love of her life, John Crowe, when they were 13 years old. They were high school sweethearts and dated throughout their college years. Joan and John were married on July 2, 1955, in Montclair. The children came quickly — boy, girl, boy, girl, boy — five children in six years. During that time, Joan and John lived in Boston, Long Island, and Virginia, finally returning to Boston where they lived in Jamaica Plain from 1963 to 1969, and then moved to Canton, where Joan and John would raise their family and live in the same house for the next 51 years.

Over the course of her life, Joan was the ultimate wife, mother, friend, volunteer, artisan, and dance/exercise enthusiast. She had a 68-year marriage where she was unendingly supportive of John through his demanding career as a surgeon. She bore their five children while John was a resident and in the Air Force, and she raised them with little help and few resources, while he was often on call away from the family. She had boundless love for her children and was always present to support, soothe, nurture and cheer for them.

In Canton, Joan volunteered for many years at the garden club and the library and was active in her church. She read to the blind and delivered meals to folks in need. She was a friend to many — loyal, empathetic, and always willing to listen. She was the exemplar of generosity and selflessness. An artisan, though she would never call herself one, Joan was talented at knitting, needlepoint, photography, gardening and baking. She knitted tons of sweaters and caps for her children and grandchildren and created beautiful needlepoint gifts for family and friends.

She served as the family historian and photographer, and her photographs of Canton sites became postcards sold at church fundraisers. Her spring flower gardens were picturesque and bright. Her famous chocolate chip cookies and apple pie are still raved about by her children and grandchildren. Finally, Joan always loved to exercise — aerobics, swimming, and especially dancing. She was legendary for dancing the night away at Crowe family weddings, and we envision her dancing once again reunited with John.

In 1966, Joan and John bought an old hunting lodge on Kezar Lake, Maine, and they spent every summer at the lake thereafter until John’s passing in 2023. The home on Kezar became the central touchpoint for the Crowe family, as Joan’s warmth, laughter and hospitality over the decades infused the household with love for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The last few years were not easy for Joan, but she survived John’s passing and other challenges with resilience, grace, and a surprisingly sharp sense of humor. Joan resided at Brandywine in Phoenixville, PA, where she received excellent care, especially from her full-time caregivers, Felicia and Tina, who treated Joan with the utmost love and respect. We are forever grateful to them. In addition, she received wonderful support during her last summers in Maine from many patient, loving individuals guided by Leslie, who helped Joan navigate and enjoy her time there.

Joan is survived by her brother Bob; her children Jeff (Amy), Betsy (John), Bob (Olga), Susan (Alex) and Andy (Carol); her 11 grandchildren and her six great-grandchildren.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Dec 17 2025. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.