Joanna “Jana” Voorhis Beattie, 84, of Newcastle, passed away quietly in her room at the Lincoln Home on the evening of April 7. A native of Plainfield, N.J., Jana made her home in Newcastle, Del. In 1994 she retired to her dream home along the Damariscotta River and her beloved summer camp on Biscay Pond in Bristol.
Jana was born on April 13, 1929, the daughter of Rosalie Morris Voorhis and Harold Oliver Voorhis. She attended the Hartridge School for Girls in New Jersey, graduating in 1947, and attended the University of Indiana where she graduated in 1952 with a BS in Education. She immediately enrolled as a graduate student at the school of education at New York University, where her father, Harold O. Voorhis, held the position of senior vice president and secretary. She earned her MA in Education and on the 11th of October, 1952, she was married to Lt. Robert T. Beattie, USAF.
The couple moved to Sheppard Air Force Base where Bob was assigned to the 3750th Hospital Group, and Jana worked in the base nursery. Following Bob’s discharge from the Air Force, they moved to Montréal, Canada, where Jana taught elementary school, supporting Bob as he attended medical school at McGill University. Following graduation from medical school, Jana and Bob moved to Newcastle, Del., where Bob established a private practice.
Jana raised two children and an assortment of pets in an 18th century historical home at #2 The Strand. Over the years, she opened the doors to her house in support of “A Day in Old Newcastle.” As an active member of the community, Jana was a member of Immanuel Episcopal Church, involved in the Arasapha Garden Club where she provided numerous flower arrangements that appeared in store windows around Newcastle, and served as chair for the board of the Newcastle Public Library.
She is predeceased by her parents; and sister, Patricia Voorhis Grinnell.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Dr. Robert T. Beattie; sister, Katrina Voorhis Mabon of Atlanta, Ga.; and children and their families, Taylor and Katy Beattie of Virginia Beach, Va., and Dee and John Dorsey of Ann Arbor, Mich.; as well as six grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held during the summer at a time when family and friends can gather at her summer camp in Maine.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Lincoln Home, 22 River Rd., Newcastle ME 04553.
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.
