Joan Schaaff Hollister

Joan Schaaff Hollister — a spark, light, beloved matriarch, and positive force. Joan passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026, surrounded by her family, leaving behind a legacy of love. Born April 12, 1932, Joan lived a life rooted in love, service, music, humor, and community.

Raised in Washington, D.C. by Joseph and Helen Schaaff, Joan was the youngest of three daughters and shared a lifelong bond with her sisters Peggy and Betty, who is 101 today. She attended Ohio Wesleyan University, where she was a proud member of Pi Beta Phi.

Joan’s great love story began early. She met William H. Hollister in grade school, and they married on June 26, 1954. Together they moved to Burlington, Vermont, where they helped found Christ Church Presbyterian, transforming a television repair shop into a chapel that brought together a vibrant congregation committed to social action. Joan and Bill went door to door, inviting neighbors in, building not just a church but a true community of love and belonging. Their home, the church manse connected to the sanctuary, was always open. It is there that Joan and Bill raised five children in a household filled with music, conversation, laughter, compassion, and always room for one more at the table.

Some of the family’s most treasured memories were made at Squam Lake, where weekends were filled with storytelling, hymn sings, boat rides, swims, late-night laughter, and long dinners around crowded tables. The calls of the loons and a bright shining moon will always bring Joan to the center of our mind. A “stop-the-world” moment.

Joan devoted much of her life to caring for others. She worked as a counselor at Waterbury State Hospital and later with the Vermont Women’s Health Center, Planned Parenthood, and the Elizabeth Lund Home, supporting women, families, and those in need with empathy and dignity.

Music was central to Joan’s spirit. She joined her first choir at age three and sang throughout her life, including with the University Choral Union in Burlington, VT, the Cala Lily’s, and Festival Chorus at Old North Church in Marblehead. One of her most meaningful legacies was founding a local chapter of Threshold Singers, offering gentle bedside songs to those in their final days.

In later years, Joan earned her real estate license and became a partner at Smith Bell Real Estate, where her warmth and gift for connection flourished. It was there that she met Paul Sutherland, the second great love of her life.

Shortly after, Joan and Paul moved to Marblehead to be closer to her grown children. Together, they created a beautiful home on Glover Square and became cherished members of the community. Joan joined Old North Church and continued to share her music, friendship, and generous spirit.

Joan’s car carried a simple bumper sticker: “Be Kind.” To those who knew her, it was more than a phrase; it was how she lived. She made friends everywhere, listened deeply, and made people feel seen, welcomed, and loved. Creating community was Joan’s superpower — in Vermont, Marblehead, and later at Brooksby Village. She embraced life fully, from Symphony Hall outings and New Hampshire adventures to gatherings with the spirited “Mad Grannies,” – who were vocal voices for radical change in our world. Through it all, Lily, her cherished dog, remained one of her greatest companions and comforts.

Joan’s greatest joy was her family, including her five kids: Jodi (Robert) LaPointe, Mark (Margaret) Hollister, Kristen (James) Atwood, Kip (Warren) Hyde, and Chad (Katie O’Rourke), as well as her 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

To celebrate the vivacious spirit of Joan, there will be a Celebration of Life service on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Old North Church in Marblehead. Immediately following will be a reception at The Boston Yacht Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Threshold Singers of the North Shore, PO Box 597, Swampscott, MA 01907. For online guest book please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.