Joan Arlene Crosby

PASSADUMKEAG - Joan Arlene (Mace) Crosby, "Joannie," "Grammy Joan," as she was known to many, entered Heaven's gates on Aug. 22, 2007, after a valiant, 7 year battle with breast cancer. She never gave up her effort to fight this disease and was a remarkable example of courage and faith in her God the entire time and was such an inspiration to everyone. These last weeks with her were such a blessed time.

Born in Passadumkeag, June 12,1937, the youngest child of Doris (White) and Edgar Mace, Sr. Joan graduated from Howland High School, class of 1955. She attended hair school after, and married the love of her life - Fred- on September 15, 1956. Always together, hand in hand, they built their home and raised 5 children in the little village of Passadumkeag. Joan always commented on how blessed she was and how rich and full her life was, and she was always thankful to the Lord for her many blessings. Her family is her legacy. She was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and neighbor. She was like the "virtuous woman" in Proverbs 31, "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also". Ready in a moments notice, Joan loved to shop and go out to eat. She was a great cook, enjoyed doing handwork, sewing, making bows, stamping cards, puzzling, and reading. She enjoyed watching the birds and collecting frogs. She always put others above herself and was always looking for a reason for a gathering, even if it was only to eat pie! On her own birthday celebrations, she always had gifts wrapped and ready for all of her grandchildren, whom she adored. Every holiday was made extra special, especially Christmas, and there were always cameras flashing as Joan had to take pictures at every event.

Joan was so proud of her children and grandchildren and was a great encourager and supporter of the many activities they participated in. With her "candy bag" in hand, she was always on the sidelines or in the stands cheering and clapping and that's why she was chosen by the Penobscot Valley High School homecoming committee to be the grand marshal in its 2005 Homecoming Parade. She proudly displayed her "Joan Crosby - PVHS Number 1 fan" - signs on her red mustang.

Faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was evident in Joan's life. Her favorite Bible verse was Joshua 1:9 "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." She had a true servants heart, was a great prayer warrior, and was a very faithful member of the Passadumkeag Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School right to the end, was a Deaconess, the assistant treasurer, and where she served on many committees over the years.

She was predeceased by her parents and the following half siblings: Adelia Ware, Raymond Mace, Irene Starbird, Edrie Lugdon, Winona White, and Ethel Graves, along with her sister and brother Virginia Saucier, and Gordon Mace, and her beloved son Stuart Alan Crosby. Joan leaves behind the following family members, who will miss her tremendously: her loving husband of 50 plus years, Fred; their children and spouses: Kenton and Glenda, Christine and Nicky, Tim and Wanda, and Keith and Shelly; her grandchildren, who all adored and cherished their Grammy Joan and whom she adored: Erica & Christian, Kendra, Jacob & Rachel, Miranda & Matt, Dustin, Brady & Aimee, Ashley, Amanda, Dakota, Sutton, and Reece; along with her two great-granddaughters, who were so precious to her: JayLyn Emma Crosby and Shay Belle Ireland. Joan also leaves siblings Edgar Mace Jr. & Daphene, Jean Robinson & Gary, and sister-in-law Betty Mace as well as Fred's sisters and brother, Florence Merrill, Avena & Bernard Ireland, and Alan Crosby. She leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, as well as too many dear friends to list, and her beloved church family along with all the other children who called her "Grammy Joan".

Joan did not want us to mourn her death, as she has victory over death and is now pain free in heaven, with a perfect body; but she wanted us to celebrate her life, and give God the glory as she's probably singing one of her favorite hymns, "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow, For I Know Who Holds My Hand" as she walks on streets of gold. She loved flowers and her desire was to have some at her celebration of life; but she also requested that donations, in her memory, be made to The Passadumkeag Baptist Church or CancerCare of Maine at EMMC. Donations may be left at the funeral home. Visiting hours will be 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Friday at The Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Road, Lincoln; and a celebration of Joan's life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Passadumkeag Baptist Church with Pastor Jack Caron officiating.

Burial will be at Gould's Ridge Cemetery, Passadumkeag. Friends and family are invited to a luncheon following the burial at the Passadumkeag Community Building.