Joan ((Blumenthal)) Harris

Joan Blumenthal Harris of Avon, CT recently passed away on April 5, 2019. Joan was born on April 24, 1928 at Mt. Sinai hospital in Hartford, CT, the daughter of Harry and Emma Blumenthal. She attended Beech Park elementary school and Plant junior high school in West Hartford, and then boarded at Dana Hall School in Massachusetts. In 1945 she entered Smith College in Northampton, Mass. with a year abroad at U. of Geneva, Switzerland. She graduated magna cum laude from Smith in 1949. Years later she received a masters degree from U. of Hartford. In the late 1940’s she met Alvin Richard (Dick) Harris of Newport News, Va. at a local bridge game. Dick had graduated from the U. of Virginia and had been a lieutenant in the US Navy serving on the USS Missouri during the Japanese surrender. They married on September 7, 1949 and lived in the Hartford and West Hartford areas. They had 4 children: Steve, James, Julie and Peter. In 1972 Joan and Dick moved to Avon where they lived happily together until Dick passed away in 2012. Joan was an extroverted and charming woman who lived life to the fullest. Her loves included politics and women’s rights, travelling the world, bridge, bingo, mahjong, tennis, reading, going to the movies, swimming,walking on the beach, card games with the family and attending Broadway theaters. Nothing made Joan and Dick happier than having their children and grandchildren visit them at beach homes in Quonochontaug, RI and Vero Beach, FL to enjoy the beaches, play cards and tennis. Joan and Dick travelled the world together. They crossed the Atlantic on the Queen Mary and the Concorde; cruised the Caribbean and the Mediterranean; visited most of Europe, Japan, China, Canada and New England. Her strong travel preference was by train so her dear friend Elaine Savin nicknamed her Choo Choo. Joan is survived by her sons Steve Harris and his wife Donna of Avon; James Harris and his wife Martine of Normandie, France; and Peter Harris and his wife Meghan of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Her grandchildren Jennifer Smith and her husband Mike of Avon; Lauren LeGault and her husband Kevin of N. Grafton, MA; Katie Harris of NYC; Max Harris, Evan Harris and Lily Harris of Portsmouth New Hampshire. Also great grandchildren Hanna and Trevor Smith, and Mason LeGault. She was predeceased by her daughter Julie; and Joan’s brothers Sam Blumenthal and Harry (Butch) Blumenthal Jr. and husband Dick.In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to one of Joan’s favorite charities such as League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood, Smith College or Emily’s List.A service in her memory will be held on Monday May 13 at Temple Beth Israel cemetery in Avon at 11:30. Following that, family and friends will gather at Steve’s home at 43 Foxcroft Run in Avon. All are invited to attend.Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford, CT. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Joan Harris, please visit online at http://www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to one of Joan’s favorite charities such asLeague of Women Votersor toPlanned Parenthoodor toSmith College

or to

Emily’s List

Following the service, family and friends will gather at Steve’s home at 43 Foxcroft RunAvon, CTAll are invited to attend