Joan Tirrell Orne of Boothbay Harbor died peacefully in the early morning on Friday, Oct. 11, 2013.

Joan was born at home in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada on May 16, 1923, to Walter and Ethel Tirrell. In 1924, the family moved to the states, first to Rochester, N.Y.; then Hartford, Conn.; Albany, N.Y.; Larchmont, N.Y. and then Lynbrook, N.Y.

Joan graduated from Mamaroneck High School in 1940. After graduation Joan went to work for National City Bank in Brooklyn, N.Y.

In 1944, Joan and her girlfriend became hostesses at The Officers Club in New York City. In the early summer she met a very handsome officer named Charles (Charlie) Orne, who proceeded to sweep her off her feet. After two weeks of dating, Joan married the love of her life on August 19, 1944.

Joan always demonstrated “la joie de vivre,” the joy of life. This encompassed nursing one of her favorite cats back to health, to driving 80 miles an hour from New York to see her first grandchild, teaching her grandchildren her love of gardening and the art of finger-painting, to quietly sitting on her front porch with her great-granddaughter overlooking the harbor.

She found joy in life; she taught her family how to laugh and how to take life’s trials and tribulations in stride. Above all, she taught them how to love unconditionally and believe that God would show them the way. She has left us all the legacy of love and laughter.

Joan was known to be a highly spirited and very opinionated woman. She loved gardening and painting and always wanted to write a book about her life. She never got to do that, but she would love to share her life experiences and did so with such detail and description, that you could envision what she had experienced at that very moment, place and time in her life. Joan was a wonderful storyteller.

There will be much to miss about Joan; her smile, her stubborn, yet entertaining opinion about anything and everything; her warm touch and heart, and most of all her unwavering friendship. Joan impacted many lives, more than she ever knew. She adored and loved her entire family and made time for each one, making them feel special. Joan will be missed, but she will always be there when we need a good, honest and loving soul to support us.

Joan is survived by her sister, Nancy Flanary; sons, Richard Orne, Charles Orne III and his wife Julie, David Orne and his wife Debbie, Victor Orne and Fred Orne; daughter, Annette Orne; six grandsons, David, Richard, Charlie, David, Woody and Michael Orne; six granddaughters, Alison, Jen, Sydney, Stephanie, Sarah and Jessica Orne; and five great-grandchildren, Christopher, Samantha, Benjamin, Walter and Lillian Orne.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family on Friday, Oct. 18, from 6 to 8 pm, at Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m. at Ocean View Cemetery, celebrated by Rev. Dr. Sarah Foulger.

A reception immediately following for family and friends will be at the Boothbay Region Lions Club, Lakeview Road, Boothbay Harbor.

Should friends desire, contributions in Joan’s memory may be made to: The Gregory Wing at St. Andrews Village, 145 Emery Lane, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.

You are invited to share your condolences with the Orne family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay.