Joan L. (Lembree) Thomas

Joan L. Thomas passed away peacefully on Monday May 1st of natural causes. Beloved wife of 56 years predeceased by Joseph “Jay” Thomas.

Joan was born in Quincy, MA. on January 23rd, 1929 to Albert and Katherine (Smythe) Lembree, and was raised in Needham. After graduating from Needham High School in 1946 she attended and graduated from Westbrook College in Portland Maine in 1948.

In 1949, Joan married the love of her life Joseph, and they bought their home in Needham where they settled and raised their family.

Devoted to the family and while raising their three daughters, she kept active as their Girl Scout leader, in Needham’s Junior New Century Club, and with her NHS high school reunion committee. She and Jay were Saint Joseph’s Church parishioners and for years were involved in the School Christmas Bazaar.

A dedicated employee at SS Pierce, Beckman Instruments in Needham, and Dedham Medical Associates where she finished her accounting career after 35 years. After retirement, she volunteered at Meals on Wheels and frequented the senior center for social activities.

She and Jay loved traveling and seeing much of the world, but their favorite destination was Hawaii, eventually visiting there 11 times. Also thanks to close friends they took up skiing later in life and enjoyed many trips to Sugarloaf and Sunday River.

Joan and Jay treasured their time with family and close friends. Parties, playing cards and going to Palermo Maine were some of their favorites. Top of the list was the Needham fireworks which Joan talked about up until her last days.

Joan’s many artistic abilities were highlighted and appreciated in the handcrafted photo Christmas cards that she and Jay created. And her infamous home baked Christmas gingerbread men (with help from Jay), were coveted by family and friends.

Joan is survived by her three daughters; Karen and her husband William McDaniel Jr. of Needham, Kyle and her husband Dana Wong of Mashpee, and Karyl and her husband Manuel Astudillo of Marlborough; her brother John “Jay” Lembree and his wife Michele+ of Yarmouthport and Naples Florida; predeceased by her sister Joyce Rondeau and sister-in-law Lorraine T. Welsh.

She is also survived by granddaughters Melissa and her husband Darrell Forbes of Russellville,AR; Dawn and her husband David Rose of Bellingham, and Mariah Wong of Mashpee; and great grandchildren Marina Rose, and Brenna, Ashlyn, Dustin and Dillon Forbes and his wife Jaylin; and great great grandchildren Dax and Jolee Forbes; and beloved nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held in the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave, Needham, on Monday, May 8, from 4-7pm. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Joseph Church, 1360 Highland Ave, Needham, on Tuesday, May 9, at 11am. Interment will take place at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne MA on Wednesday at 10:45am.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, 20 Burlington Rd. Suite 261, Burlington, MA 01803

or to the Charity of your choice.

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