Joan R. Thomas, age 69, of Hanover, passed away on June 19, 2016. Born in Norwich, Conn., a daughter of Harry and Clementine (James) Robinson, she graduated from Lasell College in 1966 with an associates degree and received a B.A. and M.A. from the State University at Brockport, N.Y., in 1978. She worked as a paralegal for Ropes and Gray Law Firm, Boston and GZA Geo Environmental, Inc., Newton before retiring in 1994. A resident of Hanover for the past 22 years, Joan served as a trustee of the John Curtis Free Library for the last 10 years, was a past president of the Hanover Garden Club, a past member of the Hanover Historical Society Board, and the Financial Secretary of the First Congregational Church of Hanover. For the past 19 years, she volunteered at the Talking Information Center (TIC), Marshfield reading Newsweek and Business Week for the visually impaired. In 2013 she received the Presidents Volunteer Service Award accompanied by a letter from President Barack Obama recognizing her work at TIC. She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Harold Thomas of Hanover; sister, Andrea Phillips and her partner Fokke de Jong of Little Compton, R.I.; nieces, Weatherly Bates of Halibut Cove, Alaska and Deedra Vorndran of Alexandria, Ky.; nephews, John Thomas of Reno, Ohio, Matthew Thomas of Belpre, Ohio, Shawn Vorndran of Gladstone, Mo.; and several great-nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her nephew, Charles A. "CAP" Phillips and her brother-in-law Capt. Abbott "Bud" Phillips. Visiting hours in the Sullivan Funeral Home, 551 Washington St., Rte. 53, in Hanover, Thursday, June 23, from 4-7 p.m. Funeral service at First Congregational Church of Hanover, 515 Hanover St., Rte. 139, in Hanover, Friday, June 24, at 11 a.m., followed by burial in Hanover Center Cemetery. A collation will follow at Riley Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan's memory to the First Congregational Church of Hanover, 17 Silver St., Suite 201, Hanover, MA 02339, or the Talking Information Center, P.O. Box 519, Marshfield, MA 02050. For directions and to sign Joan's online guest book, please visit SullivanFuneralHomes.com. Sullivan Funeral Homes Hanover Rockland Hanson 781-878-0920 781-293-2020 Family Owned & Operated For 5 Generations Since 1897
Published in The Patriot Ledger on June 21, 2016

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