Joan Ramsbottom Andrews, 83, of Cheshire, formerly of North Haven, passed away peacefully March 21 with her loving family by her side.  Joan was born in Fall River, Massachusetts on June 16, 1931, daughter of the late J. Dana and Barbara R. Ramsbottom.  Joan was the loving mother of her three children, Curt and his wife Lara of Hamden, Kimberlee, of Haverford, Pa., and Dana and his wife Cheryl of North Haven.  She was loving grandmother to her 11 grandchildren: Scotney, Ashley, Michael, Samantha, Cayce , Emily, Lauren and Luke Andrews and Kyle, Brendan and Matthew Marsh.  Joan is survived by her sister Elaine Peebles, brothers Donald and William Ramsbottom, sister in law Isabel Ramsbottom and several nieces and nephews.  Joan was also preceded in death by her brothers Dana and Robert.  Joan was a gym teacher at North Haven High School and a beloved coach of girls’ sports where she established the girl’s interscholastic athletic program at NHHS.  Joan was a dedicated mother, never missing any of her children’s games, plays or other events.  Joan was an avid golfer and a longtime member of the New Haven Country Club, having served as the President of the Women’s Golf Association and on the membership committee.  The family is grateful to those who helped Joan leave this world in peace: Dr. Robert Henry, the nurses at St Raphael’s hospital and Hartford Visiting Nurses, her caregiver Fay Blake, as well as her friends at Elim Park, especially Nancy Papa.

 

Friends may join the family at the North Haven Funeral Home, Thursday, March 26 between 5 and 8pm.  A celebration of her life will be held at North Haven Congregational Church Friday March 27th at 10 o’clock am followed by interment at Center Cemetery in North Haven.   At her request, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the North Haven Congregational Church or the North Haven Food Bank c/o the North Haven Congregational Church.