Obituary for Joan Elizabeth Spiegel (Zaemstra)
Joan (Johanna Zalmstra) Spiegel died peacefully in her sleep on December 17. She was surrounded by her family at her home in Franklin, MA. She was 86.
Joan was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands. As a child, she loved canoeing, tennis, needlepoint, knitting and crocheting. She grew up during the Nazi-occupation of Holland and her family hid neighborhood Jews and resistors in the floorboards between the basement and first floor of the family home, where the Zalmstras ran a dairy store.
Following the war, she came to the United States when she was 16 years old, along with her mother, known affectionately as “Omi,” and her two brothers Jack and Richard. The family settled in New York. Joan met Daniel Spiegel at a party in New York City, whom she married in 1956.
Over the course of their 59-year marriage, until Daniel’s passing in 2018, the Spiegel family moved often, living in the Bronx, NY; Syracuse, NY; and Ringwood, NJ before moving to Medfield, MA and retiring to Franklin. While living in Franklin, Joan volunteered at the local senior center.
She was preceded in death by her husband Daniel, her brothers Richard, Jack and Pete, and sister-in-law Helen.
While living in Medfield, Joan worked at a local bank and part-time at Lord’s Department Store. She greatly enjoyed creating needlepoint projects that commemorated births, marriages, and graduations.
But her greatest passion after her family was music. Joan loved listening to Frank Sinatra and frequently attended concerts and musical theatre in Boston, at Tanglewood, and on Broadway. Joan loved the simple things in life, including vacationing in Maine and Provincetown.
Joan is survived by son Kevin and his wife Kathleen Madigan, daughter Renee and husband Jack Noonan, son Ronald and his wife Pamela WIngard and daughter Patricia and husband Richard Montville; grandchildren Christopher, Connor, and Joseph Montville; step grandchildren Erin and husband Tim Noonan-Miranda and Elyssa Noonan and great-grandchildren Annabella, Colton, and Avi Miranda.
Her extended family resides in Colorado, Florida, the Netherlands, and Australia.
Joan was surrounded by family at her time of death. Her wishes included no wake or funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of Joan’s favorite charities, the Franklin Food Pantry at 43 West
Joan was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands. As a child, she loved canoeing, tennis, needlepoint, knitting and crocheting. She grew up during the Nazi-occupation of Holland and her family hid neighborhood Jews and resistors in the floorboards between the basement and first floor of the family home, where the Zalmstras ran a dairy store.
Following the war, she came to the United States when she was 16 years old, along with her mother, known affectionately as “Omi,” and her two brothers Jack and Richard. The family settled in New York. Joan met Daniel Spiegel at a party in New York City, whom she married in 1956.
Over the course of their 59-year marriage, until Daniel’s passing in 2018, the Spiegel family moved often, living in the Bronx, NY; Syracuse, NY; and Ringwood, NJ before moving to Medfield, MA and retiring to Franklin. While living in Franklin, Joan volunteered at the local senior center.
She was preceded in death by her husband Daniel, her brothers Richard, Jack and Pete, and sister-in-law Helen.
While living in Medfield, Joan worked at a local bank and part-time at Lord’s Department Store. She greatly enjoyed creating needlepoint projects that commemorated births, marriages, and graduations.
But her greatest passion after her family was music. Joan loved listening to Frank Sinatra and frequently attended concerts and musical theatre in Boston, at Tanglewood, and on Broadway. Joan loved the simple things in life, including vacationing in Maine and Provincetown.
Joan is survived by son Kevin and his wife Kathleen Madigan, daughter Renee and husband Jack Noonan, son Ronald and his wife Pamela WIngard and daughter Patricia and husband Richard Montville; grandchildren Christopher, Connor, and Joseph Montville; step grandchildren Erin and husband Tim Noonan-Miranda and Elyssa Noonan and great-grandchildren Annabella, Colton, and Avi Miranda.
Her extended family resides in Colorado, Florida, the Netherlands, and Australia.
Joan was surrounded by family at her time of death. Her wishes included no wake or funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of Joan’s favorite charities, the Franklin Food Pantry at 43 West