Joan Phipps

Joan M. Phipps, 83, of Hopkinton passed away peacefully on Nov. 29 at the Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Westborough. She was the wife of 53 years to Russell H. Phipps.

Born in Worcester, she was a daughter of the late Harold and Esther (Aldrich) Jewett, was raised and educated in Westborough, and was a graduate of Westborough High School class of 1958. She then went on to receive certification as a licensed practical nurse. Joan was then employed at the Westborough State Hospital until she started her family.

She kept busy gardening and raising a variety of animals including sheep, goats, pigs and chickens. She enjoyed attending musical performances and going to the Hopkinton Senior Center, where she played pool and bocce. She was always ready for a road trip — whether cross-country camping trips or trips with the Senior Center. For many years, Joan and Russ hosted Christmas breakfast for the extended family, and her Christmas tree-shaped sweet rolls were a family favorite. Whether she knew it or not, she touched many lives with her kindness.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Donna (Wilkinson) Hopkins and husband Charles of Upton, Tracy Phipps of Hopkinton and Timothy Wilkinson; her grandchildren, Eric and Ryan Wilkinson; her siblings, Elizabeth Van Ness, Robert Jewett and Irene Jewett; and many nieces and nephews.

Joan was predeceased by her first husband, H. Paul Wilkinson, who died in 1965.

Memorial calling hours will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, in the Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main Street, Westborough.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Heifer International via heifer.org or the Friends of Hopkinton Senior Citizens, c/o the Hopkinton Senior Center, 28 Mayhew Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748.

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