Joan P. Egan

Joan Hampton Pontiff Egan, 93, of Wilmington, DE, passed away on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at the Stonegates Health Center.

Born in Fall River, MA, Joan was the daughter of the late Eugene Jackson Pontiff and Doris Hampton Pontiff. She was raised in New Bedford, MA and South Dartmouth, MA and moved to Wilmington in 1956.

Joan was a graduate of the Kendall Hall School, Peterborough, NH. She also graduated from Mount Ida Junior College, and Emerson College, both in Boston, MA. She loved working with children, starting with her first job as a summer camp counselor. After finishing her education, she worked as a teacher at the Sol-E-Mar Hospital for Children in South Dartmouth. Upon moving to Wilmington, she became an assistant Kindergarten teacher at Wilmington Friends School. As a newcomer to town, Joan was embraced by Headmaster Wilmot Jones and the entire WFS community. She never forgot their kindness and the sense of belonging that she felt at WFS. Although she stopped teaching when her daughter was born, Joan relished her continued connection to WFS as a parent and grandparent.

Joan had a keen intellect and enjoyed keeping up with politics and current events. She was a talented singer and pianist and loved many genres of music, including jazz. Joan had an eye for interior design and a great interest in art and antiques. A proud New Englander, Joan savored a good lobster roll with butter (not mayonnaise!), blueberry pie, and her daily scoop of coffee ice cream. She cherished her childhood summers on the banks of the Slocum River and Buzzard’s Bay in South Dartmouth when family would visit, including her beloved cousin, Randy. This is where her love for the water and sailing began.

During her younger years, Joan was quite active in clubs and volunteer activities. She was a member of Christ Church Christiana Hundred, where she served on the altar guild, as plants chair for the Green Show, and as UTO chair. She was a former guide at Winterthur and a member of an antiques group. Joan also enjoyed her time as a member of the English-Speaking Union and the DuPont Country Club.

Joan is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Alison and Dan Thompson, of Wilmington; her beloved grandchildren, Lindsay and Alicia Thompson, both of Boston, MA; and her cousin, Randy Motland and his wife, Sandy, of Rye, NY. She’s also survived by Randy’s children and other extended family.

Joan’s family wishes to express their gratitude and wholehearted thanks to everyone who helped Joan stay independent in her cottage and transition to the Health Center at Stonegates. Her devoted friend and caregiver, Charlene, and numerous wonderful caregivers and staff members from Home Instead and Cornerstone Health Partners provided Joan with great comfort and compassion. This also includes the exceptionally caring and skilled doctors, nurses, aides, and staff from Stonegates.

In lieu of flowers, please perform a random act of kindness or consider contributing in Joan’s memory to Wilmington Friends School, 101 School Road, Wilmington, DE 19803, or Lloyd Center for the Environment, 430 Potomska Road, South Dartmouth, MA 02748.

Services will be private.