Joan Whetten

Joan Marie Whetton, 77, of North Conway, passed away peacefully at the Memorial Hospital on October 10th, 2012, following a long illness.
Born in Medford, Mass., on March 9, 1935, the daughter of Douglas T. and Lynthel R.(Butler) Newman, she was the second-oldest of 14 children, and resided in North Conway with her husband Paul since 1960.
She attended Natick schools, and after graduating Natick High School in 1953, attended John Robert Powers modeling school, then worked for Diehls Lumber & Fuel, Dunham Pontiac & Marine (where she met Paul), Army Core of Engineers, and Quartermaster - all in Massachusetts.
In 1960, she married Paul Whetton, of Needham, Massachusetts and they settled in North Conway where they raised their three children and ran Form-A-Top Corporation. She was the clerk for the Kearsarge Lighting Precinct for many years.
Known for her partridge-berry wreaths, berry bowls, and her delicious pies and homemade meals, Joan was a devout mother and friend. She was considered a 'mother' to many of her children's friends. Her faith sustained her through the years as she attended the Congregational Church and the Conway Pentecostal Church. She mentored and influenced many people in the Valley with her love for the Lord. She attended Harvard Divinity for a year and was involved with Women's Aglow Fellowship where she held the post of President of the local chapter. She will always be remembered for her kind and giving ways, her smiling face and loving heart. She was very loyal to her family, a sweet woman of kindness who had a good set of values and lived by example.
Joan is survived by her husband of 52 years, Paul; daughter Carol and husband Sam Adams of Hampton, daughter Janice and husband Mark Mudgett of Bartlett; son John and wife Alva Whetton of San Diego; six grandchildren, Andrew McGaffigan, Lindsay (and husband Casey) Lewis, Chris (and wife Heather) Mudgett, Heather Mudgett, Arielle Whetton and Julian Whetton; six great-grandchildren; her si