Joan Jacobs Blumenthal, of Acton, MA, died peacefully at home on June 6, at the age of 96. Joan was born in Hartford, CT in 1926, and lived most of her life in West Hartford. She graduated from Hall High School in 1944, and then went on to Russell Sage College, graduating in 1948 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in European History. After college, Joan worked in her father’s accounting firm, and then for the city of Hartford. Once her daughters were in middle school, Joan became an elementary school substitute teacher in West Hartford. Years later, she worked with her husband in his advertising specialties company. When she was in her 60’s, Joan became a volunteer at the Wadsworth Atheneum, as well as the Hartford Artisans Weaving Center, both of which she continued well into her 80’s. During her 40 year marriage to Morton, Joan and her family had a great appreciation for the arts. They attended many productions at The Bushnell, musicals at The Goodspeed Opera House in CT and many plays and musicals on Broadway in New York City. They loved visiting the Wadsworth Atheneum, as well as other museums in the area. They also traveled extensively around the world, making many new friends along the way. Joan was a gourmet cook, avid reader, expert knitter, and enjoyed daily long walks, especially through Elizabeth Park. In 2014, Joan moved to Acton, MA to be close to her daughters and their families. She moved into the Robbins Brook community in Acton, where she made many new friends, rekindled her love of bridge, and attended cultural events both at Robbins Brook and in the surrounding area. Joan was predeceased by her husband Morton, her parents, Rae and Harry Jacobs, and stepmother Sadie Jacobs, son-in-law Terry Spencer, and niece, Nancy Goodwin Rubinstein. She is survived by her loving daughters, Jill Shaya and her husband Mousa, and Susan Spencer, along with her beloved grandsons Toby Shaya of Frankfort, KY, Corey Shaya of Acton, and Andrew Spencer and Jeffrey Spencer, both of Boxborough, MA. In addition, her brother Bud Jacobs and his wife Sheila of West Hartford, CT, their children David Jacobs and his wife Fernanda of Avon, CT, Gary Jacobs of Hartford, CT, and Terry Walters and her husband Chip, also of Avon. Also, her niece Andrey Goodwin Wax and her husband Robert of Bethesda, MD, and her nephew Jamie Goodwin, of Bath, ME. Her family had a private graveside service at the Emanuel Cemetery in CT, in accordance with Joan’s wishes. Her family is eternally grateful for the many wonderful caregivers Joan had over the past years, including the associates and staff at Robbins Brook, her aides from Georgia’s Girls, and the staff from Care Dimensions Hospice. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to The Joan J. and Morton A. Blumenthal Funds at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 10 Columbus Blvd., 8th Floor, Hartford CT, 06106, or to the Endowment Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, 333 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford, CT, 06117. Alternately, contributions may be made to Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.
