Joan (Adele Brown) Hulburt, long-time summer resident of Chebeague Island, died peacefully at home in Woods Hole, MA on July 14th surrounded by her loving family. She was 88. She is survived by her daughter, Dianne McPherson and son, David L.M. Hulburt, both of Woods Hole, MA, and granddaughters, Jocelyn, Christa, and Tessa Hulburt.Joan was born in Boston and grew up on Cape Cod, graduating from Lawrence High School in Falmouth, MA. Both she and her sister, Patricia, played piano in their youth, a pleasure Joan enjoyed all her life.
Joan worked as Lab Assistant for pioneer Scientist & Editor, Mary Sears, first Oceanographer of the Navy and founding member of the now world famous Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Joan became a Sears’ assistant, then WHOI Library Assistant, collaborating in the compilation and editing of the Institution’s Annual Report and Summary of Investigations.
At WHOI, she met and married her husband of 61 years, marine biologist Edward ‘Mackie’ Hulburt. They had two children, Dianne and David. Joan, a nurturing, creative, and loving mother, took a break midway in her career to always be there for her family.
Joan and Mac had a long, love-filled, companionable marriage. Together they enjoyed gentle nature walks, sailing on the Cape, in Casco Bay, and Downeast, attending chamber music concerts and the opera, and traveling around Europe, Canada, and Mexico. An avid reader, Joan always had a stack of library books at the ready on a wide range of topics. She adored her children, their beloveds, and her grandchildren. She was a good cook, had a terrific knack for giving thoughtful, perfect gifts, and was gracefully adept at most anything she turned her hand to. Most of all, Joan loved Chebeague and especially working in her island garden with BJ’s help.
A funeral service and burial will be held on Saturday, October 22 at 2pm at the Church of the Messiah in Woods Hole.
