Joan (Allaire) Paton

Joan F. (Allaire) Paton, age 92, of Cohasset, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2022. Beloved wife of the late Andrew C. Paton. Loving mother of William C. Paton and his late wife, Gail of Marshfield, Robert A. Paton of Cohasset, and Penelope P. Cox and husband William J. Cox of Wells, ME. Beloved grandmother of Meredith Paton of South Boston, Emily Paton of Brighton, and Andrew Paton of Marshfield, and John “Jack” and Catherine Cox of New York, NY. Sister of the late Marjorie McCormack.

Joan was a loving mother and wife, a widow for 34 years. A devout Catholic, she was a longtime member of Saint Anthony’s Church and choir.

Joan was proud of her Dorchester roots and her close-knit neighborhood. She became an avid beachgoer early on and would regularly walk as a child from her Stanley Street home to Malibu Beach on Dorchester Bay. Upon moving to Cohasset, Joan immediately took advantage of her beloved Sandy Beach where she would bring her children and meet with her many close friends. In fact, she was considered one of the “Founding Mothers” of Sandy Beach.

Joan loved people and enjoyed a good party, particularly during the season of Christmas, her favorite holiday. In the fall, she could often be found hiking the local trails in search of raw materials for handmade Christmas wreaths, which were in high demand by family and friends. She would also frequent the local library, in that she was such a voracious reader.

She never forgot the less fortunate and elderly. Much of her time was devoted as a volunteer for Boston’s Catholic Charities, the Cohasset Senior Shuttle, Meals on Wheels, and the Bloodmobile. 

As Grammy, Joan was a regular attendee at her grandchildren’s sports events, plays, recitals, and graduations. An avid Boston sports fan, she would regale the family with memories of her frequent trips to Fenway Park. As Joan became less physically active, she would tune in to the Golf Channel and root for her favorite golfer, Rory McIlroy.

Joan was genuinely interested in everyone she met. Those who knew her loved her. She was vivacious, witty and sharp as a tack with an incredible memory. She could recount amazing details about anyone, even from many years past.

Joan loved life. Her wonderful smile and appetite for fun and laughter will be missed dearly by all who knew her.

Family and friends are invited to a visiting hour from 10-11 am on Monday, May 16, 2022 in McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, 1 Summer St. (across from St. Anthony Church), Cohasset followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 in St. Anthony Church. Private burial at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, MA. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105  Tel:(800) 866-6344 Or Mass General Cancer Center, c/o Mass General Development Office,125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, Ma 02114-1101 Tel: (617) 726-2200

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