Joan Truex Barton, 74, of Palm City, FL, formerly of West Hartford, passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter and son in law, Elizabeth and Scott Olmstead in Keene, NH on 12/07/2016. Born on April 18, 1942 in Hartford, to the late Dr. Edward H. and Ruth O. Truex, Joan was raised along with her three siblings in Wethersfield and graduated from Wethersfield High School. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech Therapy from Boston University and then worked for several years in school systems in Boston and CT, working with young children with speech difficulties. She married John Barton and had three daughters, who were brought up in Kensington, CT. Joan went on to earn her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of CT, and enjoyed a rewarding career treating people with drug and alcohol addictions, and later on in a private practice. Joan married Donald Barton on July 30th, 1983, who survives her. She gave generously of her love and was a very compassionate person who cared deeply about her connections with her clients, family and friends. Joan was often sought after by her children’s friends in their adolescent years and beyond who were struggling with issues that they felt comfortable talking to her about. Over the years, she served on many boards and committees including the State of CT Governor’s Drug Advisory Council, the Berlin Board of Education, along with many human relations and drug advisory and youth counselling services. After she retired, she volunteered at the Hospital of Central Connecticut as a member of the Auxiliary, in the newborn nursery, as well as the Emergency Room helping people in crisis. Joan loved to spend time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She shared many sweet and tender moments with them, especially in her last weeks. There is a family lullaby that has passed through the generations that she often sang to grandchildren. On a recent night her granddaughters all snuggled up and sang the lullaby to her. She loved sharing her knowledge of gardening and bird watching with her family and friends. She loved all furry creatures great and small, especially her little dog, Cocoa. In her early years she enjoyed dancing, skiing and the outdoors. She was a former member of Shuttle Meadow Country Club.
She leaves behind her husband of 33 years, Donald Barton, who so lovingly cared for her through these last months; her three daughters and sons-in-law, Elizabeth and Scott Olmstead of Keene, NH, Julie and Tom Tarasovic of Vero Beach, FL, Jennifer Barton of Vero Beach, FL; two step sons, Christopher Barton of Chicago, IL, Eric Barton and wife Jessica of Truckee, CA; six adored grandchildren, Stephanie Ericson of Spofford, NH, Avery Strassenburg of Keene, NH, Taylor and Philip Tarasovic of Vero Beach, FL, Layla Barton of Truckee, CA., Griffin Barton of Barkhamsted; as well as two cherished great grandsons, Porter and Everett Ericson of Spofford, NH. In addition, Joan also leaves her sister and brother in law, Betsy and Robert Steele of Essex; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Ted and Barbara Truex of Brownsville, VT, and Dr. Richard and Sharon Truex of Wethersfield; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends and relatives may pay their respects to Joan and her family, Sunday, December 11, 2016 from 4-7pm at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Rd., Wethersfield. A Celebration of Joan’s life will be held Monday, December 12th at 11:30am in the Meeting House of the First Church of Christ, 250 Main St., Wethersfield. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. The family requests in lieu of flowers and ask that memorial contributions be made to the Women’s Auxiliary of the Hospital of Central Connecticut, 100 Grand Street, New Britain, CT 06050. To extend online condolences, please visit farleysullivan.com.