Joanne A. (Ahlgren) Wakefield

DUXBURY - Joanne A. Wakefield, loving mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2018, surrounded by her loving dog and family. 

Joanne was born to Swedish descendants, Regina and Wesley Ahlgren, of Brockton, MA and Osterville, MA.  Always one to strive for continuing education, Joanne graduated from Brockton High School, completed a post graduate year at Walnut Hill School and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Wheaton College.  She later completed secretarial school at Katharine Gibbs in Boston.  She was an avid golfer, tennis player, bridge game aficionado, and loyal friend to many.

Joanne was a dedicated mother.  Early years were spent between Westwood, MA and Lake Winnipesauke, NH engaging her children in activities that she loved.  She taught her children how to ski (and remained patient when skis and/or poles were thrown), pushed them through long hikes, shoveled snow off the ice to allow them to skate, and was always there to watch an occasionally horrible tennis match. She loved to needlepoint and knit and enjoyed making sweaters for family and friends.  Many of the sweaters she made for her grandchildren have been stashed away for future generations.  Joanne’s love for animals was evident as well.  She made many cats and dogs part of the family, and leaves behind her loyal companion, Zoey.

The family moved to Duxbury, MA in 1975.  Joanne was an active member of the Duxbury Yacht Club where she quickly became a collector of trophies and trinkets as one of their top ladies’ golf team members.  She continued her passion for playing competitive tennis both at the Duxbury Yacht Club and the Kingsbury Club in Kingston, MA.  Joanne loved to open her home to entertain friends and family, especially the tradition of a Swedish smorgasbord on Christmas Eve.

In 1988, Joanne built a home on Amelia Island Plantation and moved to FL.  She established great friendships and continued her active lifestyle.  She volunteered at the local Historical Society and managed a high-end swimwear shop.  Joanne perfected her incredible talents in needlepointing, creating purses, pillows and framed works of art just short of museum quality.  She completed one of the large Chapel Banners that currently hangs in the Amelia Plantation Chapel. 

Joanne became a loving grandparent in 1989.  She was affectionately known to her grandchildren as “Marnie”.  She leaves 9 grandchildren; Scott IV, Schuyler, Sutton (deceased 2014), Spencer, Sawyer and Sydney Wakefield, Amelia Prebish and Samuel and Hanna Mason. 

Longing to be closer to her family, Joanne moved back to Duxbury in 2002.  She reengaged with old friends, continued to hit 200+ yards off the tee and played in a couple of different bridge groups.   She was instrumental in providing loving care to grandchildren Sam and Hanna up until the time they went to grade school.

Living on the positive side of life was one of Joanne’s favorite mantras.  In the midst of her own life challenges, she focused on a brighter outcome in lieu of conceding for something less.  This is but one many valuable life lessons that Joanne blessed us all with.

Joanne leaves her three children, Kimberly Wakefield Prebish of Jackson Hole, WY, Scott G. Wakefield III of California and Pamela Wakefield Mason, and her husband Philip, of Norwell, MA.  We love and miss you so much mom, but know that Heaven now has a new commander angel getting things done.

A Celebration of Life Service for Joanne will be held at 11AM Sunday October 28, 2018 at the Duxbury Bay Maritime School in Duxbury, MA.  A brunch will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to local Hospice groups or animal shelters.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joanne A. (Ahlgren) Wakefield, please visit our floral store.