Joan Lawson (née Corbin) of Washington, D.C. and Somerville, MA, passed peacefully on September 7, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Joan joins her devoted husband of 46 years, John B. Lawson, who preceded her in death. She is survived by son and daughter-in-law David C. Lawson and Erin Stanford of Altadena, CA; by daughter Anne B. Lawson of Somerville, MA; by sister and brother-in-law Nancy Corbin Wolfe and Bert Wolfe of Tadley, U.K. and sister Diana Young of Bangor, ME; and by grandsons Clay and Reed Parker.

Born in New York City and raised in New Haven, CT, Joan attended the Foote School, Concord Academy, and Bryn Mawr College. She taught English at the American School of Tangier, Morocco, also working as a civilian employee of the Seventeenth Air Force in Rabat, (where she met John), and later for the Central Intelligence Agency. Joan had a talent for languages, including French, Spanish, Italian, Latin, German, and Arabic; she preferred to speak them in their countries of origin whenever possible, and spent many happy summers traveling in Europe, based in Brittany on the French Channel coast.

Joan was an incredible, dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She was a passionate photographer, aficionada of various fiber arts, avid naturalist, medieval scholar and choral singer. Over the years, she volunteered at organizations including the American Friends Service Committee, the League of Women Voters, the Woman's National Democratic Club, and the North Bethesda Camera Club, and served as board trustee at Concord Academy and Sidwell Friends School.

A memorial service will be held at a future date.

Donations in Joan's memory may be made to So Others Might Eat ( some.org )

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.