Obituary
view guestbook | sign guestbook

Joan B. Smith

Date of Death: April 19, 2017

Date of Birth: February 9, 1921

Biography:

FALMOUTH - Joan Brown Smith, 96, passed away peacefully in her Falmouth home on April 19, 2017 with her family by her side. She was born in Portland in February 1921, the third of four children of Simmons and Mary Brown.

Joan graduated from Waynflete School and Pine Manor College. In 1943 she joined the American Red Cross as a "doughnut girl" and was soon sent to Europe. Her first duty there was with the 8th Airborne Division and later she was transferred to the 63rd Infantry Division on the front lines in Germany. In one instance she was inadvertently driven across the German line but, since she was a Red Cross volunteer, she was allowed to return to the Allied side. Later, attached to the 100th Division, she attended the Nuremberg Trials. In August 1946 she was awarded the Medal of Freedom "for meritorious service while under fire in Germany."

Joan was an active volunteer in the Portland area. She served on many boards, including the Portland Symphony Woman's Committee, Maine Medical Center, Sweetser Home, Greater Portland Landmarks, State Street Church, St. Mary's Garden Club, and the Girl Scouts.

In 1948 Joan married Henry S. Payson with whom she had three children. Later in life she married W. Dorsey Smith, who had two children of his own. She was predeceased by both Henry Payson and Dorsey Smith, her brothers Fletcher Brown and David Brown, and her younger sister Karen Clarke. She is survived by her children: Amelia (Mimi) Payson MacLeod, H. Martyn Payson, and Lila Payson Littlefield; two step-children: Karen Smith and Hunter Smith; and four grandchildren: William MacLeod, James MacLeod, Evan Smith, and Garrett Smith.

Joan's ashes will be buried with a family graveside service in Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maine Coast Heritage Trust or the Falmouth Land Trust.