Joan Falvey Parker, 83, wife of the late Joseph S. W. Parker, Sr., of Marblehead, Ma. and Southport, Me, passed away suddenly but peacefully at home on Wednesday morning, March 4th. She was the daughter of the late Donald and Lidwine Falvey and was raised in Chestnut Hill and Swampscott. She attended the Chestnut Hill School, Winsor School and graduated from Bradford Junior College in Haverhill, Ma.

An Irish woman through and through, Joan was quick witted and fun-loving and adored any type of adventure, be it sailing in Maine with her husband Joe, attempting new sports with her grandchildren or simply engaging in spirited conversation with people of all ages. She especially enjoyed the camaraderie of her bridge groups. Joan was a woman of deep faith. She was a dedicated volunteer her whole life and was especially proud of her time as a docent at the Peabody Essex Museum where she led many school groups through the rich maritime history of Salem. She was also a volunteer at Tower School, a Past-President of the Parents Association at Pingree School, and a board member of the Merry Mixers, Friends of the North Shore Children's Hospital. Joan was one of the early supporters of the Coastal Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Maine, now recognized to be one of the top horticultural destinations in the country. She was a long time member of the Cheerful Workers in Salem and of the Eastern Yacht Club and a former member of the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club and the Gut N' Feathers badminton club in Marblehead.

Joan is survived by daughters Sarah Cave (Michael) of Wilmot Flat, NH, Margaret Rand (Jonathan) of Tilton, NH , and Elizabeth W. Parker of Marblehead, and her son Joseph Stedman Williams Parker, Jr. (Libby) of Marblehead, and her brother Donald Falvey, Jr of Falmouth Mass. She also leaves her adored grandchildren Parker Cave & Christopher W. Cave, of Boston, Ma, Jennifer C. Rand and Charles F. Rand, of Burlington, Vt and Joseph S. W. (Will) Parker, III and Sam A.D. Parker of Marblehead. She was predeceased by her sister Abigail McCoy of North Andover and her step-mother Elizabeth Crane Falvey. She also leaves several nieces and nephews who were near and dear to her heart.

Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, March 13th at 11:00 am at the Star of the Sea Parish, 80 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead, Ma. Relatives and friends respectively invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at Murphy Funeral Home 85 Federal Street (cor of North) Salem on Thursday March 12th from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970 or the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 132 Botanical Gardens Dr, Boothbay, ME 04537.