Joan Reiter Child

joan child
In New Haven, Tuesday, March 18, 2008, after a two year battle with amyloidosis, Joan Reiter Child, 70, of North Haven. Wife of Robert Coleman Child, III, mother of Sara C. Stevens and her husband Randy of Old Lyme, Robert Coleman Child, IV and his wife Patricia of East Haven and Emily C. Smith and her husband Charles of York, PA. Grandmother of Brittany A. and Nicholas R. Child, Benjamin M., Alexandra M., Jacob A. and Zachary C. Smith and Christopher R. and Ethan F. Bushy. Sister of Ardeith Reiter Froeberg, niece of Martha N. Sponheimer, age 100 of Lexington, MA and aunt of Patrick Keough, Patrick W. Child, Jr., Victoria Euler and Courtney Gettel. Joan was born in Greenwich, CT Jan. 24, 1938 to the late Arthur C. and Edith Noyack Reiter. She was a Registered Nurse and was a 1958 graduate of Grace-New Haven School of Nursing and worked at Yale-New Haven Hospital for 40 years before retiring. She was one of the founders of the Tibetan Spaniel Club of America, Inc. and an active member including President and held other offices in the club until her death. Joan and her business partner, Jean Wright, bred and showed several champions in shows across the country. She loved to read, knit, sew, paint, draw, swim, sit in the sun on the beach, shop, particularly at flea markets, where she had an uncanny nose for bargains, and most of all take care of her children and grandchildren. Not only does she leave behind her husband of 49 years, and her children and grandchildren, she also leaves a wide circle of friends, most particularly Janet Johnson and Sonny Esposito whom she met their first day of nursing school in 1955 and remained close with until her death. Joan was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church Council, serving several terms, the most recent ending in January 2008. Joan had a talent for 'telling it like it is' without offending. She will be sorely missed by all, but most of all by her family. Memorial Service Sat., March 29 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 292 Orange St., New Haven. Arrangements under the direction of BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 WHITNEY AVE., HAMDEN.

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  1. ***I met Joan in 1971 and it did not take long for us to become fast friends. Together with Yvonne Crofts, we became partners in JoJevon in 1984 and the partnership that was not supposed to last more than a year blossomed & lasted 24 plus years. Although Yvonne passed 6 years ago, Joan was actually the true heart of our partnership. I will carry on alone with our last dogs, and I will do it in Joan’s memory. We did everything there was to do in dogs, and my love for Joan as my sister by choice grew beyond measure for all these passing years. ***So many times in these last few weeks I have reached for the phone to tell you some little thing and realized I could not call and share with you again. I miss you more than words can say and think of you every day, my dearest friend. It was a long time before I could sit down and write this because I could not see well enough through the tears falling on the keyboard. Goodbye my loving sister. Jean

  2. Emily and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you always! Kathy & Ron

  3. I admired Joan from our first encounter at a dog show. She was a one of those wonderful women in the sport if pure bred dogs. Her dedication to the breed,the willingness to share her knowledge and respect for others are traits we should all aspire to emulate in her honor.

  4. I am Auntie Joan’s youngest niece and last night was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I had to kiss my uncle goodbye and walk out the door of their house knowing that it would be one of the hardest nights of his life. I cannot tell you all how much the flowers, cards, phone calls and notes have meant both to him and the rest of the family. He was truly touched and I know Auntie Joan would be tickled to see it all. Although she was godmother and great aunt to my children, she treated them both like grandchildren and that meant the world to my kids, myself and my husband. I miss her greatly but will do my best to take all she taught me and pass it on to others. Thank you all again.

  5. I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. JOAN WILL BE MISSED BY ALL, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, BUT SHE WILL LIVE ON IN ALL OF HER FAMILY. YOU HAVE MANY FOND MEMORIES OF HER. YOU ALL WILL BE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. WITH ALL MY LOVE, SUSANNE

  6. I know there is little we can say to ease your pain. So every time you see a child playing with a dog smile and remember Joan’s love of dogs and children. I am one of the many whom Joan took under her wing in the Tibetan Spaniel world. I will share a story with you: Joan, Jean, Noreen Cartwright and I were going to .The Garden. With Joan driving. I have never experienced anything like it!! She was just like a Cab Driver. Honk, swerve dash and break!!! I asked her how many tickets she had .she didn’t know. .She said everyone has them it’s just Part of life in that part of the world. So Joan was also a world class driver!! Good by friend, and have fun in your new life. Pamela B

  7. I met Joan only twice at Tibetan Spaniel National Specialties. It was enough to know she was a very special person. She had such grace. My condolences to her family.

  8. I will never for get Joan as she and Phyllis Kohler are why I have raised Tibetan Spaniels. Joan always encouraged me to do the things I wanted to do. She was always a good friend. I love rooming with her and Phyllis as I learned so much about life and the breed. She will be greatly missed by me.

  9. I worked with Joan twice in my 33 year career at YNHH. Though I didn’t know her well as a friend, I did know that she impressed me very much as a great nurse and a kind person. She will be greatly missed by many. Sincerely, Carol Gennette, RN

  10. Joan was a grand lady. I always enjoyed talking to her about Tibbies, a breed she dearly loved. She will be missed by everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

  11. Joan was a lovely lady and will always be fondly remembered by myself and the whole Tibetan Spaniel community. My deepest condolences to her family & friends.

  12. Joan was a wonderful,kind person. So dedicated to Tibetan Spaniels. Her love for the breed shined through in her willingness to share her knowledge without reserve. I first met her in 1990 and always enjoyed learning more about Tibbies in each subsequent visit over the years….mostly at WCC in the fall!

  13. Tibetan Spaniels across the world and their owners owe so much to Joan, and what she did for Tibetan Spaniels over the years. She was a wonderful person, generous in sharing her knowledge, mentoring newcomers back in the 70’s like me. I was so thankful to spend a day with her two years ago. It was like old times that I was up in North Haven, visiting with Joan. All my thoughts and prayers to the family. I wish I could be there for the Memorial Service.

  14. To Joan’s family our deepest sympathy, Dolores Andreucci ’58 and the members of the Grace-New Haven Alumnae Association.

  15. To Joan’s family, Steve and I are friends of Emily and Charlie. So very sorry to hear your loss. Our thoughts are with you all at this sad time. Steve and Debbie Mullin

  16. To the Child Family, I thank you for the opportunity to have know and cared for Joan as her visiting nurse. She was truly a wonderful and unique person that will be missed by all. Stay strong.

  17. We think of all of you today, and will cherish our fond memories of Joan. Sorry distance keeps us away from sharing in your loss. We will let our son Bruce know, he lives here in Phoenix too. He and Bobby shared times together when they were young. Love from Bruno and Dottie Wegner

  18. Words can’t make your sorrow any easier to bear. May you find comfort recalling the times all of you had together. Joan was my BEST friend from first grade to graduation from high school.Then we went our separate ways to our careers and raising our families, and catching up with Christmas cards. We had wonderful growing up years that were so special. Deepest sympathy to you, Rob, your children and grandchildren, Ardeith, and Aunt Marty.


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