On September 7th, 1928, Joan Freeman Williams was born to Frances (Talbot Peterson) & Ogden Hardenbergh Freeman in Mt. Kisco, NY, where she spent a happy childhood in the county. The family later moved to New York City, where Joan graduated from Spence School. After graduating, Joan found office work in the city and a great bachelorette pad on 5th Avenue! … In 1954 Joan married John M. Williams. They raised a family in New York City, but before long found a house on Centre Island, where they eventually settled full time after the kids left for college. Both Joan and Jack loved the Oyster Bay area and were actively involved in the community for over 50 years.
Joan had the talent to see beauty in small things and the passion to make the world a better place. And she was passionate about many things. Joan believed that whatever was worth doing, was worth doing well. That may sound like an old aristocratic adage (which it is), but for Joan it was a magic key that opened many doors.
It was through her eye for detail that Joan learned from nature about beauty; though her ear for detail that she learned to play the piano and sing; though her hand for detail that she leaned to draw and paint; and it was through the attention to detail that she showed her love for family and friends.
After the kids went away to school, Joan turned her attention to a number of causes that were close to her heart; and together with Jack, through local organizations, she worked to help others who were less fortunate, to help improve the community, and to help preserve the Bay. Joan’s dedication to make the world better left her less time for her other passions. Of course, we wish she had given us more artwork to help us remember her vision and her love, but we would like to believe that through her many activities and through the many people whose lives she touched, Joan left us a greater legacy.