Joan Higgins Brewer, 85, of Damariscotta, died Oct. 28 at Cove’s Edge Nursing Home after a long illness.
She was born Dec. 26, 1920 in Surbiton, Surrey, England, the daughter of Frederick and Daisy (Clayton) Higgins and one of eight children.
Joan was the widow of the late Horace Chapman Brewer. She married Horace on Jan. 16, 1945 in Surbiton, where he was stationed during WWII. She moved to Damariscotta in August of 1946, where she raised four children while she worked at numerous places, including Round Top Dairy Ice Cream Stand. Summer visitors still remember her smiling face as she served ice cream to them.
Joan also ran a number of businesses over the years, including Singing Cove Products on Elm Street, well known for its hand-loomed clothing and accessories. Her knitting skills were legendary and she continued teaching others to knit when she moved her business to Lewis Point.
For many years, Joan used her considerable vocal skills to entertain at local musical programs and at Togus Veterans Hospital.
She was a long time member of the Damariscotta Baptist Church, the Women’s Club, Eastern Star, Miles Memorial Hospital League, the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation, and other area groups. Joan enjoyed her many trips to England to visit family and friends, and vacations with Horace on bank business. She also traveled all over the world after her retirement.
Joan is survived by her sister, Audrey Higgins Smith; brothers, George and wife Phyllis, and Peter Higgins of England; brother-in-law, Charles Brewer and wife Sandra of Aiken, S.C.; sister-in-law, Ruth Brewer of Damariscotta; daughter, Linda and husband Kerry Simpson of San Rafael, Cal.; sons, William and wife Deane of Damariscotta, Robert and wife Eileen of Wilbraham, Mass., and Lincoln of Marshfield, Mass.; grandchildren, Joseph Brewer and wife Stephanie of Westfield, Mass., Jill Brewer of Ludlow, Mass., Adam Brewer of Wilbraham, Mass., Fred Brewer of Damariscotta, and Bobbi Brewer of Damariscotta; great-grandchildren, Scott and Molly Brewer; and numerous nieces and nephews in England and all over the United States.
Visiting hours 4-6 p.m., Wed., Nov. 1 at Strong Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
Funeral service 11 a.m., Thurs., Nov. 2 at Strong Funeral Home, Damariscotta.
She will be laid to rest with her husband at Maine Veteran’s Cemetery in Augusta in the summer.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Damariscotta Baptist Church for steeple restoration, P.O. Box 248, Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Arrangements are entrusted to Strong Funeral Home, Damariscotta.
