Joan Spicer

Joan L. (“Joanie”) Spicer, 86, of Norwich, passed away peacefully on September 1st at the Nursing Home facility at Chenango Memorial Hospital, where she had spent the previous couple of weeks. Her daughter, Carol, was at her side.

Born October 15, 1930, in Jamaica, Long Island, Joanie was the daughter of John Alvin and Frances (Wood) Leavitt. She grew up in Glastonbury, CT, and moved to Norwich over 50 years ago. Joanie loved Norwich and was a longtime volunteer locally. She served at several of the local non-profit thrift stores, as well as local museums. At her “retirement” from the Northeast Classic Car Museum, Joanie was informed by the director that she had accumulated more service hours than any other volunteer.

She was an active member of the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association. She attended the annual EAA gathering in Oshkosh, WI many times with her husband, Bill. They flew together in their small plane and both enjoyed it greatly. Seeing an unfilled need, she provided information to other visitors to the air show at the front gate, eventually becoming a leader on the Information Services team. As Joanie proudly noted, the team rated their own air-conditioned building at the entrance!

Joanie lived in her “dear little house” where she fed the birds and squirrels in her back yard. She did this at more than an amateur level, naming many of her “critters” and feeding a number of them by hand.

She is survived by a daughter, Carol Anderson (Chuck Eppinette); a son, Skip Anderson (Karen); daughters-in-law Andrea Anderson and Deborah Tubbs; grandchildren, Molly Parks (John), Kate McNulty (Brendan), Jonathan Anderson (Jill), Jillian Anderson (Sam), Sarah Anderson and Shelby Lynn; great-grandchildren, Adeline Parks, Eleanor and Penelope McNulty, Peregrin and Zephyr Anderson. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Joan was predeceased by two of her sons, John W. Anderson in 1996, William W. Anderson earlier this year, her husband, William O. “Bill” Spicer in 1999, and her brother, John W. Leavitt in 2000.

There will be a celebration of Joanie’s life this fall where friends will gather to share memories. Date and location to be announced.

It was Joanie’s request that there be no formal funeral services. Burial will take place in Mt. Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joanie’s memory may be made to Guernsey Memorial Library or to the charity of your choice.