Elizabeth Joan Ives, of New Canaan, passed away after a short illness. She was 87.
Elizabeth Joan Ives
Joan was born in 1935 in Belfast, Northern Ireland to Dr. James and Dr. Elizabeth Wheeler. She was preceded in death by her brother Ken and sister Mollie. Joan was extremely proud of her Irish heritage and had very fond memories of her childhood and wonderful times spent with her large extended family.
Joan attended her secondary education at St. Andrews before graduating from Richmond in Belfast. At Richmond, she played Rounders and Tennis. After a brief stay in London, Joan came to the United States to help care for her God Son and met the love of her life, Philip Ives, in Annisquam, Massachusetts. They married in Belfast on May 16th 1964 and moved to New Canaan in 1968 where they raised their three sons.
Joan spent countless hours watching her children and grandchildren play hockey, soccer, lacrosse, tennis and golf and was unwavering in her love and support. She loved to travel home to Ireland and to spend quality time with family in Fryeburg, Maine. Joan was an active community volunteer who loved spending time with her family, friends, playing bridge, sewing and having fun.
She is survived by her husband, Philip, her three sons and daughter-in-laws, Colin and Louisa Ives of New Canaan, Ken and Kristi Ives of Lafayette, California and David and Kelly Ives of New Canaan, her daughter-in-law Lisa Ives of Rowayton and nine grandchildren who adored her.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her honor to the Hospice Foundation of America or the Friends of Bristow Bird Park of New Canaan.
Joan was a wonderful person, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and ambassador for Ireland. As a long time resident of New Canaan she has touched many of us including three generations of my family. To her large and devoted extended family she will be irreplaceable. She was always a welcome presence in any group and she will be sorely missed. R.I.P.
Joan was à wonderful cousin ,friend and a truly adored Female head of the Shillington/Wheeler/Shillingford families in the whole of the British Isle now being so widely scattered . She took a tremendous interest in each òne of us no matter what age and gave such encouragement and was always full of fun. With lots of love to Philip and their 3 sons, Colin,Ken and David and their families from Alan and Eve Parkhill (née Shillington).