Joan Ardyth Richmond Lyford passed away on May 2. She was born Sept. 9, 1929 in London, England, the first daughter of Pauline Nickerson Richmond of New Harbor and Millard Colby Richmond of Bangor. Living variously in Europe, southern California and New York, her lifelong romance with the land of her ancestors was rekindled through annual visits, eventually making Pemaquid Beach her home.
Her education in experimental schools in southern California, and at Stevens College, honed her talents in writing, music and theater. She never lost her inquisitive spirit, delighted in travel, and was open to the spectrum of human expression.
Joan found a soul mate in artist Cabot Lyford, and her unfailing love and support for him and his art are an inspiration to those close to her. They settled in southern New Hampshire where they raised their family in the intense educational environment of Phillips Exeter Academy. In addition to being a supportive and loving mother of three, Joan was active in the many local choral and theatrical organizations, often gracing the stage with her beautiful soprano voice.
Realizing the uniqueness of her own education, she sought to encourage educators to incorporate the arts into conventional teaching methods. Expressing her deep love and appreciation for children and their innate creativity, she founded first The Backpack Players, a traveling children’s theater, then a multi-media learning method called the Blue Sky Project. Starting in the local schools, she then obtained a corporate grant which enabled the project to reach over 70,000 children.
Inspired by the work of Rachel Carson, her great passion was to connect people with their natural environment. After moving to her ancestral home in Maine, she turned her energy to promoting environmental education by collaborating with local agencies. Through the Pemaquid Watershed Association, she developed the Beachcomber’s Rest Nature Center. One of her greatest accomplishments was her pivotal role in motivating major environmental organizations at the local, state, and federal levels to restore the failing marsh at Pemaquid Beach. Joan’s tireless conviction and non-confrontational approach resulted not only in rejuvenating a dying wetland, and providing nutrients to a myriad of shorelife, but also a lifetime achievement award from the Gulf of Maine Foundation.
Joan’s fascination and respect for indigenous cultures, and their relationship to nature led her to seek knowledge particularly about Asian and Native American belief systems. She incorporated these into her personal life path and her inspirational teaching of Tai Chi was life changing for many of her students.
Her legacy will be celebrated by her many friends and associates, as well as her husband Cabot Lyford of New Harbor; children and their spouses, Matthew and Kazuye Lyford of Exeter, N.H., Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee of Round Pond, and Thaddeus and Ellen Lyford of South Portland; grandchildren, Caleb Lane and Bronwen Lane of Pemaquid, Musashi Lyford of Hampton, N.H., and Harmony Gosbee of Los Angeles, Cal.; great-granddaughters, Kira, Benten and Scout Lyford of Hampton, N.H.; sister, Suzanne Collins of New Harbor; and affectionate nieces and nephews.
The family will hold a private memorial ceremony followed by a public celebration of life at Pemaquid Beach later this summer.
Any who wish to honor Joan Lyford’s memory may do so by making contributions to Beachcomber’s Rest Nature Center, c/o Pemaquid Watershed Association, PO Box 552, Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
