Joan Dickins Sargent, age 86, a longtime New Canaan resident died Monday July 23, 2012, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Born in London, England, on September 4, 1925, she was the daughter of Alexander and Constance Dickins. At the age of 18, during WW2, Joan joined the WAAF, serving in Padstow, UK, as a wireless operator until the war’s end. Moving to the US, she went to work in New York at Good Housekeeping magazine and then settled in CT to raise a family. Joan was known throughout the area as a master gardener. Self-taught, she worked at White Flower Farm, learning on the job from founder Bill Harris. Joan has been a tireless volunteer and has contributed to horticultural projects throughout the community and at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. With her devoted garden team, she worked on the walled garden at Waveny, Lee Gardens, and the New Canaan Nature Center. Joan wrote a regular column for Horticulture magazine, gave numerous lectures, and led workshops for the Gardeners, the New Canaan Garden Club, and the New Canaan Nature Center. Her tremendous energy and drive, horticultural expertise of a high order, and great generosity have made her beloved and admired by grateful gardening friends. She was twice the recipient of the awards for Connecticut Gardner of the Year and has been a member of the Garden Club for many years. Joan’s gift was to share her delight in the smallest events in her garden and to keep an open door and curious mind for all things horticultural. A friend described a walk with her through New Canaan’s Lee Gardens as follows: “Joan would show us buds that were emerging, diseases that needed conquering, branches that needed pruning, birds nesting in particular species of trees and shrubs, and generally opened our eyes to what comprises a good garden, and to the endless surprise and joy it can give.” Another close gardening friend recalls that Joan’s gift was not just impart knowledge but to teach others how to learn for themselves by making mistakes. Joan was a founding member of the New Canaan Winter Club and a 25-year Volunteer at the Children’s Aid Society. Joan is survived by her six children: Susan Sargent of Tinmouth, VT; D. Alec Sargent of Bethesda, MD; John Sargent of Rowayton, CT; David Sargent of Houston, TX; Jodie Sargent of Milford, CT; and Mark Sargent of Providence, RI; as well as her devoted son and daughters-in-law Tom Peters, Lee Sargent, Molly Sargent, and Kitty Douglas; her sister, Janice Palmer of Isle of Wight, UK; her brother Alec Dickins, of Sydney, Australia; ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild. In addition she is mourned by her two beloved dogs, Cleo and Polly. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday August 26, 2012, at 11:30 AM at the New Canaan Nature Center, 144 Oenoke Ridge , New Canaan, CT 06840. A reception will follow immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New Canaan Library, 151 Main Street, New Canaan CT 06840 or the New Canaan Nature Center, for future dedications to be made in her name. Sunday August 26, 2012 , 11:30AM at New Canaan Nature Center Click for Map and Directions