Joan McClane Leftwich, a woman defined by her commitment to family, friends, and love for art and music, passed away on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 surrounded by her loving family. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 7, 1932, the only child of George W. and Mary J. McClane, Ms. Leftwich attended the academically elite Philadelphia High School for Girls where she was a competitive swimmer and participated in drama, and graduated from Pennsylvania State University, where she continued her interest in athletics and drama. After marrying, she served as a Supervisor for Educational Programs in the Philadelphia School District and raised two children, a daughter, Gail, and son, Charles. The family moved to Carlisle, Massachusetts in 1969, where her daughter and son attended local public schools. Ms. Leftwich was involved in a range of civic activities in the area, including serving on the Board of Directors of the Greater Concord Chapter of the American Red Cross. As her children grew older, Ms. Leftwich pursued her longtime interest in art, serving as an Assistant at the Concord Art Association and undertaking docent training at DeCordova Museum. This led to her engagement as manager of Handworks, Inc., a contemporary crafts gallery in Acton, and Assistant to the Manager of The Art Gallery and Company in Concord. Always interested in literature and reading, Ms. Leftwich ultimately became the Library Assistant at Sanborn Middle School in Concord¸ where she worked for 19 years. This was a job she relished, as it allowed her to work with young people and books--a source of daily pleasure—ensuring the library was a place where they became lovers of literature. Born into a family of music lovers—she listened to the Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts with her beloved grandmother from a young age—-music was a constant in her life. Ms. Leftwich was a nearly 50-year subscriber to the Boston Symphony Orchestra, traveling annually each summer to Tanglewood in the Berkshires, and inveterate attendee and supporter of Sarah Caldwell's Opera Company of Boston and the Metropolitan Opera. She was also an early and continuing subscriber to the Concord Chamber Music Society. An elegant woman with energy, warmth and grace, Ms. Leftwich connected deeply with everyone she met, instinctively making them feel good about themselves. Ms. Leftwich is survived by her son, Charles Leftwich of Carlisle, MA. Friends are invited to gather and celebrate Joan during visiting hours on Tuesday, August 15th from 4 to 7 pm in the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord, MA. A private burial for family members will take place on Wednesday, August 16th at Green Cemetery in Carlisle. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to "Friends of Tanglewood", 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 (please note "in memory of Joan Leftwich" in the check memo line) or by phone, at the Tanglewood Friends Office: 617-638-9267. Arrangements are under the care of the Dee Funeral Home of Concord.