Joan Justina (McKenzie) Chicoine, 90, of Claremont, NH, passed away Saturday, July 6, 2024 with her family by her side. She was born in Claremont in December of 1933 to Theodore and Stella (Clow) McKenzie of West Claremont.
Joan graduated from Steven's High School in 1951 and shortly after began working at Claremont General Hospital. She first began working as a phlebotomist in the lab, and then received further training and became an X-ray technician, which she really enjoyed. She married Albert V. Chicoine, of Claremont, in June of 1953 and they began building a life together; literally. They started building their own home and after starting a family, she traded careers and became a stay at home mom raising a family as her full time job. She enjoyed the tasks of homemaking, sewing, knitting, hanging out the laundry, and making her own bread, right down to her final days. She was known for her sourdough bread, and that starter has been entrusted with family members to keep it going for generations to come.  She loved animals, and had a special fondness for horses, even owning one during her later years, sharing that experience with her youngest daughter. More recently her daily walks with her beloved dog Zoey helped her to keep active.
Joan was an avid reader, and you would often find her on the couch with a good book. After becoming one of Jehovah's Witnesses, the book she especially enjoyed reading was the Bible and she would share what she learned with others, even learning to Zoom and connect with her friends to do so.
Times spent at the family camp on Goose Pond were some of her favorite memories. She looked ahead to a future when all is new, all are healthy, and her bread will always rise perfectly!
She is survived by her three sons, Bryce, Todd, and Gregg and two daughters, Arien and Alicia; their spouses and their families, and many friends who felt like family.
A Memorial Service and gathering will be held at 3PM on Sunday July 21, 2024 at the Claremont Senior Center
5 Acer Heights, Claremont.