Joan Spikol

A bright spark left the world on February 11, 2022. After a life full of love and joy, Joan Hermann Spikol peacefully passed away in Peterborough, NH.

Born on March 20, 1934, in Brooklyn, NY, Joan spent her youth watching the Brooklyn Dodgers play at Ebbetts Field, skipping school to see Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday, and loving every dog in her neighborhood.

After attending Brooklyn College, Joan began her career as a second-grade teacher in the New York City public school system, where she taught for many years. Her classrooms were filled with playfulness, art, and always great books. She showed each student kindness and compassion.

She married the love of her life, David Spikol, in 1957. Together they had many wonderful adventures, including traveling in Europe, running an antique store, and raising their two children, Daniel and Susie. Although they raised their family in Brooklyn, each summer, they spent time in Newfane, Vermont, where their home was always open to many friends and family members.

Throughout her life, Joan loved animals. She brought her children regularly to the Bronx Zoo and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens, where they were lucky enough to see such highlights as snowy owls, peregrine falcons, and American oystercatchers against the New York City skyline. Every fall for many years, she and Dave enjoyed time on top of Putney Mountain in Vermont, scanning the skies for migrating hawks.

For the past eight years, Joan and David lived at The Village at Rivermead in Peterborough, where she made many new friends and enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow. David and her children are forever grateful for the tender and compassionate care Joan received from The Village’s Assisted Living staff.

No words would be complete about Joan without mentioning her love for life, family, her beloved dachshunds, and a dry martini.  She loved a good joke, speaking Italian, and her dear friends. She found great joy in being a part of her grandchildren’s lives, seeing them grow, and finding their own paths in the world. They will miss her sparkling eyes, a warm embrace, and encouraging smile.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, David Spikol, her son Daniel Spikol and his wife Lene Bull of Copenhagen Denmark, her daughter Susie Spikol of Hancock, and her grandchildren, Lily and Liam Denehy and David Faber.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joan Spikol’s name to The Harris Center for Conservation education.

A summer celebration of her life is planned.