Joan Falvey Parker, 83, wife of the late Joseph S. W. Parker Sr., of Marblehead, Massachusetts and Southport, died peacefully at home March 4.

She was the daughter of the late Donald and Lidwine Falvey and was raised in Chestnut Hill and Swampscott, Massachusetts. She attended the Chestnut Hill School, Winsor School and graduated from Bradford Junior College in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

An Irish woman through and through, Joan was quick witted and fun-loving and adored any type of adventure, be it sailing in Maine with her husband Joe, attempting new sports with her grandchildren, or simply engaging in spirited conversation with people of all ages. She especially enjoyed the camaraderie of her bridge groups.

Joan was a woman of deep faith. She was a dedicated volunteer her whole life and was especially proud of her time as a docent at the Peabody Essex Museum where she led many school groups through the rich maritime history of Salem.She was also a volunteer at Tower School, a past president of the Parents Association at Pingree School, and a board member of the Merry Mixers, Friends of the North Shore Children's Hospital. Joan was one of the early supporters of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay now recognized to be one of the top horticultural destinations in the country. She was a longtime member of the Cheerful Workers in Salem and of the Eastern Yacht Club and a former member of the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club and the badminton club in Marblehead.

Joan is survived by daughters, Sarah Cave (Michael) of Wilmot Flat, New Hampshire, Margaret Rand (Jonathan) of Tilton, New Hampshire, and Elizabeth W. Parker of Marblehead, Massachusetts; her son, Joseph Stedman Williams Parker Jr. (Libby) of Marblehead, Massachusetts; and her brother, Donald Falvey Jr. of Falmouth, Massachusetts. She also leaves her adored grandchildren, Parker and Christopher W. Cave, of Boston, Massachusetts, Jennifer C. and Charles F. Rand, of Burlington, Vermont, and Joseph S. W. (Will) Parker III and Sam A. D. Parker of Marblehead, Massachusetts. She also leaves several nieces and nephews who were near and dear to her heart.

She was predeceased by her sister, Abigail McCoy of North Andover, and her stepmother, Elizabeth Crane Falvey.

Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, March 13 at 11 a.m. at the Star of the Sea Parish, 80 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead, Massachusetts. Visiting hours will be held at Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal Street, Salem on Thursday March 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St., Salem, MA 01970 or the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 132 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay, ME 04537.