Obituary: Joan Pippin, Longtime Arlington Senior Center Coordinator

The following is from DeVito Funeral Home.

Joan Roberta Horne Pippin passed away unexpectedly late last week. She was born on May 5, 1925 in Worcester and grew up in Concord, N.H. She was a woman with a bold spirit of adventure, endless curiosity about the world around her and abundant love of family, friends and community. She was also a deeply spiritual soul and had a well of kindness that marked each day of her life and touched everyone who crossed her path. 

Joan graduated from Stevens College in Missouri and the Wisdom School of Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif., where she worked and studied with Noam Chomsky, Erik Erikson and other notables in the field of personal growth. Her rich and varied work life included being a professional photographer and photographic colorist, a psychotherapist and, for over 30 years, the Arlington Senior Center Coordinator, where she introduced innovative programming and enriched the lives of countless seniors. In addition to being a passionate advocate for seniors, she was a pioneer in the quest for women to have an equal role in all aspects of society. 

Joan’s spirit will continue to fill the hearts of everyone who loved her and the music of her laughter will live in our memories.

She is survived by her sons Steve Burdett and Todd Pippin; her beloved twin Janet Oakes; her granddaughters Ishi Hayes and Tessa Narducci; her great grandchildren River, Lukas, Riley, Aubrey and Liam; her nieces Joanne Oakes, Cheryl Kane, Elaine Oakes and Kim Flores and nephew Scott Oakes; her loving daughters-in-law Linda Pippin and Gloria Burdett; grandsons-in-law Jeffrey Hayes and Andy Narducci; and many dear friends, the dearest of which is Charles R. Schwab of Arlington. She was predeceased by her beloved son Brian and her brothers Dr. David Horne and Philip Horne.

A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m., Sunday, March 16, at the Arlington Senior Center, 27 Maple St., Arlington, MA 02476. Donations may be made in Joan's memory to the Arlington Senior Center, 27 Maple St., Arlington, MA 02476.