Joan Blackwood, a seven year resident of New Canaan, CT, was born in NY on August 28, 1927 to Frank and Elizabeth Biederman. Joan was a great wife, mother, sister, aunt and grandmother as well as an outstanding student and multi-talented athlete. Her high school yearbook noted how “sweet and really smart” she was. Joan graduated in the top decile of her 500+ student class and was among a very rare group of Jamaica High School students to be awarded 4 Major J’s for all of her sports accomplishments. These included basketball, softball and field hockey, which her granddaughter Maggie is continuing the tradition of at a top rated high school in New Jersey. Joan Biederman met her future husband, Bob Blackwood, at Jamaica High. Bob was Joan’s paper boy in Bellrose and they soon became high school sweethearts. During World War II, he corresponded frequently with her and knew they’d marry upon his return. Joan and Bob married on June 27, 1948 and were married fifty six years at Bob’s passing on Good Friday 2005. Bob’s nickname for Joan was “Sunshine” for her bright disposition and radiant good looks. Prior to New Canaan, Joan lived in Norwalk, CT, Bronxville, Douglaston and Beechurst, NY. Forced to work after graduating high school, Joan served as executive assistant at a number of Manhattan firms. One notable position she held was the executive assistant to the CFO of Saks Fifth Avenue. She had the best clothes around and dressed her daughter, Candy, to the nines. During her time at Saks, she had her son, Adam, who quickly became the beneficiary of Joan’s Saks connection and excellent taste. Joan’s great organizational and social skills were strong contributing factors for a number of executives’ individual successes at Saks, Manufacturers Hanover Trust, and The Eye Bank at Manhattan Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, to name a few. Nothing in the world was more important to Joan than her family. Her husband spent the last three years of his life in a nursing home after breaking his hip on Father’s Day 2002 and Joan visited him every day. Her dedication inspired everyone around her, especially Adam and Candy. Joan loved antiquing, fine dining, cooking and trying new recipes. She also loved attending almost every baseball and basketball game of her local grandson, Jake. Certain words always come up when people speak of Joan. The first word is “classy” because she’d always be beautifully dressed whenever she left her home. “Funny” was another word often used to describe Joan. She was honest to a fault, as well as loyal and loved any kind of celebration. Joan is survived by a daughter and son, Candy (of New Canaan, CT) and Adam (Chatham, NJ), his wife Michele, four grandchildren – Jake (CT), Maggie, Alex and Jenny (all 3 of NJ) and a brother, Roger of Palm Beach Gardens, FL. She is predeceased by her parents Frank and Elizabeth, husband Bob and brother Jerry. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 15, 2010 at St. Aloysius Church, New Canaan at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, New Canaan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s honor to either New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps ( www.ncvac.org) or Meals on Wheels of New Canaan, Inc. (203-594-5318). Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St. New Canaan is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, www.hoytfuneralhome.com Friday October 15, 2010 , 11:00 Am at St. Aloysius Church Click for Map and Directions