Joan Toomey Snow, 92, passed away peacefully in her home of over 65 years surrounded by her loving family on Monday, May 12th. She was the daughter of the late John W. Toomey and Margaret O’Brien Toomey of Pride’s Crossing and wife of the late James Atwood Snow, married 62 years. Joan grew up in Beverly Farms and attended St. Margaret’s School until 8th grade and graduated from Beverly High in 1949 where she was a star tennis player, winning many tournaments around the North Shore. She worked at the New England Telephone Company before marrying and having her five children. Later in life she worked for the Gillette Company, KitchenAid, and Weber Grills in sales and marketing.
Family meant everything to her, and she shared with them her love of sports (tennis, skiing, and swimming), traveling (Greece, France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Hawaii, and St. John being some of her favorite travel destinations), mystery rides, and knitting. She was an avid card player and loved cribbage at the Manchester Legion and Bridge with her two Bridge groups. She loved her town library and the staff that worked there. She was a voracious reader and part of the Mystery Book Club. She was part of the famous “piggy group” and loved her piggy friends dearly. She was also in a bowling league in Beverly for many years.
Nothing made her prouder than her six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She instilled in them her passion for kite flying, card games, gardening, daily morning breakfasts, and a trip to her favorite ice cream shop for her beloved chocolate ice cream soda with chocolate ice cream. One of her favorite places was her family home in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire where the family learned to ski at Moose Mountain and enjoyed swimming in Lake Winnipesaukee. She also enjoyed spending her time at the Manchester Bath and Tennis Club, Tuck’s Point, and cruising with Captain Sam. She had many cats and dogs throughout her life, but none as dear to her as Angus, the seafaring golden retriever.
She will be greatly missed by all her family and close friends. She is survived by her son James Atwood Snow, Jr. and his wife, Kimberly, of Rhode Island. Her son John L. Snow and wife, Kirsten, of Marshfield Hills; John’s daughter Rita Snow MacDonald, husband Matt of New Hampshire, and their daughter Isla Katherine MacDonald. Her daughter Joanne Snow Doneghy, her husband Scott of Manchester-by-the-Sea, and their children Catherine Lee Doneghy and John William Doneghy. She is predeceased by her son Jeffrey F. Snow, but his memory lives on with his wife Lisa of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire and their son Jake Atwood Snow. And her youngest daughter (the bonus baby) Jeanne Margaret Snow Stanton and her husband Michael of Manchester-by-the-Sea; their daughters Sara Joan Stanton and Emily Grace Stanton, and Emily’s two children Willa Jean Paul and Maverick James Paul.
Graveside services will be private. A celebration of life For Joan will be at the Manchester Bath and Tennis Club on Wednesday, June 4th from 4-7pm. Contributions may be made in Joan’s memory to Cape Ann Animal Aid, 4 Paws Lane, Gloucester, MA. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot St., Beverly, MA. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.
