5/31 UPDATE: Details of the funeral service for Mrs. Lewis have now been announced. It will be held Saturday June 7, at 11 a.m. at St. Ann’s’ Church in Old Lyme. A luncheon will follow the service.
Joan Griswold Park Lewis, most recently of Merrimack County Nursing Home, Boscawen, New Hampshire passed away peacefully with family at her side on the first day of spring, March 20, 2025.
Mrs. Lewis was born in Erie, Pennsylvania on March 30, 1930, daughter of William B. Griswold and Jessie Griswold. Rosalie Griswold McCook was her dear step mother.
The family moved to Old Lyme, Connecticut in 1945. She graduated from St Margaret’s School in Waterbury, Connecticut in 1948. In 1952, she graduated from Bouve Boston School of Physical Therapy and Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts as a registered Physical Therapist. She was married in 1953 to James B Park of Concord, New Hampshire. They moved to Sugar Land, Texas where Mr. Park was a banker and Mrs. Park was a physical therapist.
In 1975, she moved back to Old Lyme where she had her own physical therapy office and worked at Chesterfield Convalescent Home as a therapist for 18 years.
She moved to Concord, New Hampshire in 1996. Over the years, she enjoyed many hobbies including gardening, knitting, hiking, photography, crafts and traveling. Her greatest passions were her grandchildren and the Boston Red Sox!
Survivors include five children: James G Park and Lane P Litchford of Lynchburg, Virginia; David B. Park and daughter-in-law, Sidney of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Tracy P Barrett and son-in-law Chris of Loudon, New Hampshire; and William H. Park (Paula Hoch) of Denver, Colorado. A brother and sister-in-law David and Elaine Griswold of Old Lyme, Connecticut. Six grandchildren, Erin and Caitlin Barrett, Megan and Boyce Litchford (Jessie and Aiden), Brittany Litchford Guill (Austin Guill), and Cassandra Park; and one great grandchild, Berkley Guill. Two nephews, Jeffrey (Kim Forbes Griswold) and Eric Griswold (Maddy Farkas), and one niece, Laura Griswold Wentz (Joshua Wentz). Three great nephews, James, Daniel, and Matthew Wentz. She was pre-deceased by a brother, William B Griswold, Jr, and a half-brother, Lawrence Lee.
A private graveside service will be held later this spring at the Griswold Cemetery followed by a service at St Ann’s Episcopal Church in Old Lyme, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the McCurdy Salisbury Educational Foundation in Old Lyme.
Tracy and family, I have fond memories of Joan on Stoneleigh Knoll…her gardens were always lovely and I think of her whenever I see an astilbe. My condolences.
Joan was amazing.In my sophmore year of high school into my junior year,I had a nettlesome running injury which would not go away.I finally started seeing her on a weekly basis for a few months and her hands and thoughts were magic.Healed!I started having some success and that helped me get into college.I was always grateful for her help and patience while dealing with that impatient 16-year old.RIP.
Jonathan B. Wilder