Longtime Newtown resident Joan R. Newton Dwyer passed away peacefully on September 24 at River Glen Health Care Center in Southbury. She was born in Philadelphia to Franklin R. Newton, a colloidal chemist, and Mary H. Nitecki Newton. Joan grew up in Philadelphia and central Massachusetts, where she graduated from Leominster High School and attended Becker Junior College.

Joan leaves her husband of 61 years, Frederick D. Dwyer, along with a son, Mark F. Dwyer, and his wife, Cheryl Dwyer, and a daughter, Elizabeth Dwyer Petrucelli, and her husband, Dean A. Petrucelli. She also leaves three grandchildren: Kathleen Petrucelli Malone and her husband, Ryan Malone, Nicholas Petrucelli, and Douglas Dwyer; as well as one great-grandchild, Blair Malone.

Joan was a dedicated stay-at-home mother and homemaker. She was an avid tennis player; Joan pursued her passion and became a professional USPTA certified tennis coach and trainer. She loved her students, her teaching techniques, and the sportsmanship of the game. Always involved in various volunteer and charitable work, for over 20 years Joan served as chair of St Rose of Lima’s Social Concerns Committee. She spearheaded numerous food and clothing drives and helped many individual parishioners with specific needs.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s name to St Rose of Lima in Newtown at strosechurch.com.

Due to COVID-19 concerns, there will be no viewing and a private service will be held at St Rose of Lima on Tuesday, September 29 at 11 am. Burial will immediately follow at St Rose of Lima Cemetery.