Joan (Marsland) Jewell

Joan Marsland Jewell, age 91 of Norwalk, died peacefully at Wilton Meadows on October 23, 2021 after a brief illness.  Born in Holyoke, MA on July 21, 1930, she was the daughter of the late John R. and Bertha (Burnett) Marsland.

Survivors include her son Jeffrey and his wife Dianne (Walsh) Jewell, her daughter Jessica (Jewell) Catena and her husband John, her grandchildren Thomas, Luke and Anna Catena, and Justin and Jenna Jewell, great granddaughter Catalina Jewell, Justin’s partner Tatiana Santiago and her daughter Gianna.  Joan was also predeceased by her husband John Jewell, and brother and sister-in-law Jack and Ann Marsland.

Joan attended the Northfield School for Girls in Northfield, MA and graduated from Connecticut College with a BS in political science in 1952.  She worked in a variety of jobs throughout her career while raising her two children. 

Joan will be remembered fondly by her many friends and relatives for her sense of humor, infectious laugh, strong opinions, and outspokenness.  She loved animals – especially the dogs she lived with: Coco, Fresco, and Suki, and her beloved dogs and cats that have passed on.

She was a voracious reader and gifted writer, and was known to endlessly clip articles, recipes, and tips which she frequently sent out to her friends and family.  She was notorious for her quirky, outlandish, weird, and sometimes down right puzzling gifts that still continue to keep us laughing years later.

Joan was particularly fond of her nieces and nephews and their spouses.  Jennie (Marsland) Murphy, Kate Marsland, and Charlie Marsland, and, Terre, Suzzy, David and the late Maggie Roche.

Joan’s family will receive friends at the Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Ave., Norwalk on Monday, November 1 from 4-7 p.m. A private celebration of her life for close friends and family will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to Mother of Mercy Hospital in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan to support Dr. Tom Catena’s medical missionary work. Checks may be made out to African Mission Healthcare, P.O. Box 8598, Pueblo, CO, 81008 (write "Dr. Tom Catena" on the memo line) or go to https://africanmissionhealthcare.org/donation/catena/