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Joan (Colt) Hooper was imposing—in stature, in talent and in grace, a woman of gentle good humor. For all of her 96 years she enthusiastically loved her family, her friends and her dogs. She was an energetic artist, who shared her skills with others and continued to challenge herself by frequently using different mediums and changing landscapes and subjects. Her whimsical work featured shells, boats, planes and scenes inspired by the out-islands of the Bahamas and of course Marblehead. She was a Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artists.
Joan grew up in Providence, R.I. and attended Northfield Mt. Herman and Tufts University. It was there, on the sailing team, that she met her adoring husband John B. Hooper, who predeceased her in 2009. The couple continued sailing and cruising on their 35’ sloop Ingomar throughout their 58-year marriage. They each also had their private pilot’s license and flew often to the Bahamas and across the country.
Joan will be deeply missed by those who love her, including her sister Katharine C. Boden, her beloved children Sarah, George and his wife Jane; and Jefferson and his wife Susan; and her treasured grandchildren Jennifer Lee-Hooper, Caroline, James, Abigail and John Hooper. Joan was preceded in death by her daughter Lucy Hooper Favaloro; her sister Sarah Colt and brother Leonard B. Colt and her parents Leonard Colt Sr. and Joan (Borden) Colt of Little Compton, R.I.
A memorial service will be held on January 16 at 11 a.m. at Saint Andrews Church, 135 Lafayette St., Marblehead. In lieu of flowers, Joan has asked instead for donations to be made to the Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper St., Marblehead 01945. For more information or online guest book, please visit MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.
Joan (Colt) Hooper, a Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artists known for her whimsical paintings of shells, boats, planes and coastal scenes, died recently at 96.
Hooper was an energetic artist who shared her skills with others and frequently challenged herself by using different mediums and changing landscapes and subjects. Her work featured scenes inspired by the out-islands of the Bahamas and Marblehead.
“She had this incredible way of making everyone feel welcome in her studio,” her son Jefferson said. “Mom would be painting away, and she’d invite you to pick up a brush and join her. She never stopped learning, never stopped experimenting.”
Hooper grew up in Providence, Rhode Island and attended Northfield Mt. Herman and Tufts University. She met her husband, John B. Hooper, on the sailing team at Tufts. The couple sailed and cruised on their 35-foot sloop Ingomar throughout their 58-year marriage. They each held private pilot’s licenses and flew often to the Bahamas and across the country.
“They were true partners in every adventure,” her daughter Sarah said. “Whether it was sailing through a storm or flying to some remote island, they faced it together with grace and humor.”
John B. Hooper died in 2009.
Survivors include her sister Katharine C. Boden; children Sarah, George and his wife Jane, and Jefferson and his wife Susan; and grandchildren Jennifer Lee-Hooper, Caroline, James, Abigail and John Hooper.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Lucy Hooper Favaloro; sister Sarah Colt; brother Leonard B. Colt; and parents Leonard Colt Sr. and Joan (Borden) Colt of Little Compton, Rhode Island.
A memorial service will be held Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. at Saint Andrews Church, 135 Lafayette St., Marblehead. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper St., Marblehead 01945. For more information or online guest book, visit MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.
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