Joan Barnett Obituary

Our beloved mother Joan Ann Barnett of Marshfield passed away peacefully on May 30, 2025, after 93 years of life. Born in Boston in 1932 to Eugenie (De Marsh) and Reginald Barnett, Joan attended St. Patrick's High School and later Lesley College. She married James D. Porter in 1954. In 1961, they moved their growing family to the Southport neighborhood in Marshfield. In town, Joan became a regular town meeting attendee, volunteered on local elections, and instilled in us the importance of civic engagement and community. We spent every possible summer day romping on Rexhame beach while Joan sat in a sandy circle and formed friendships that lasted a lifetime. In the late 1960's, Joan worked at Mrs. Hills Kindergarten and Village Preschool while finishing her bachelor's degree in education at Bridgewater State College. Joan opened a neighborhood kindergarten in the family home on Frisbie Rd before teaching at Governor Winslow School beginning in 1973, the year public kindergarten became a requirement in Massachusetts. Joan moved to Houston, Texas in 1979 where she taught at Will Roger's Elementary School for many years and completed her master's degree in clinical psychology at Rice University. After more than 45 years in education, she retired and relocated to Orlando, Florida, to be near her son and grandsons following the 9/11 attack. In 2011, she returned to Marshfield to be near her daughters, coming back to the town that always felt like home. Joan was an avid supporter of the arts and was a season ticket holder to the symphony, opera, and ballet throughout her life. She was a lifelong dancer and a self-taught astrologist. In her later years, she found great joy and camaraderie at the Marshfield Senior Center, where she became affectionately known as "the hat lady". Her family is deeply grateful to the center's staff for their kindness and support. Joan saw herself as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother first, but we saw her as a fierce advocate - for herself, her family, and her students, many of whom found her in adulthood to thank her for her impact. Our mother was born in 1932 when it was more common than not to dislike those who were different, but our mother never accepted that. She judged people on their actions, not the color of their skin, religion, beliefs, or who they chose to love. Joan is survived by her children: Regina Porter of Marshfield; Christopher Porter and his wife Audrey Quinn Porter of Apollo Beach, Florida; Lizanne Porter Rhodes of Marshfield; and Maura Porter and her husband Bill Van Riper of Weymouth. Her grandchildren Lucas Rhodes and his wife Sarah of Plymouth; Larissa Rhodes of Marshfield; Matthew Porter and his wife Hailey of Longwood, Florida; and Geoffrey Porter and his wife Rachel of Sanford, Florida. Joan also embraced three step-grandchildren, Hayley Fairbanks, Colton Fairbanks and Tyler Robinson. Among her greatest joys were her four cherished great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her ex-husband, James D. Porter; her brother, R. James Barnett; and her youngest brother, Michael F. Barnett, whom she raised following the early loss of their parents. She was dearly loved and will be sorely missed. A celebration of Joan's life will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 1–4 PM at Mamma Mia's Restaurant in Marshfield. Her ashes will be interred in a private family burial. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association: online at https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate%20[alz.org ]