Joan A. Smart

Scarborough- Joan A. Smart died Sunday, June 23, 2019 at Gosnell Hospice House following a long illness, her loving family was by her side. Joan was born in Orange, New Jersey the daughter of the late Melvin C. and Eileen V. (Flaherty) Leach. She graduated from Knoxville Catholic High School, Knoxville, TN in the class of 1960, and earned her Bachelor's Degree from Ursuline College, Louisville, KY in the class of 1965. Joan worked for several years as a social worker including Louisville and Jefferson County Children's Home, Portland School Department, Maine Alcohol Safety Action Program, and Three Bears Nursery School before going to work for the Maine Department of Human Services in Portland in 1979 as a Caseworker in Child Protective Services. Joan dedicated her entire working career to the welfare of children, making sure that they were in safe and loving homes. Her tireless efforts over her 32 year working career ensured that children, who might not otherwise, be placed in to safe and loving environments. In her spare time, Joan was a lover of horse racing and an avid Kentucky Derby fan, she loved playing cards with the girls, especially her Monday poker group. Trips to Wells to visit family, summers at camp and spending time at Higgins and Scarborough Beach. Sunday afternoons at Scarborough Downs was a longtime family tradition, sometimes spending the whole day there. Her favorite pastime, however, was attending all of her children and grandchildren's sporting events, she tried very hard to never miss a game. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, a member of the Brunswick and Portland Order of Elks, and a life communicant of the Catholic Church. Joan was predeceased by her husband, Robert Smart in 2006. She is survived by a son, Brian and his wife Maureen Smart of South Portland; a daughter, Robyn and her husband Stephen Oliver of Scarborough; six grandchildren, Connor, Callaghan, and Caoimhe Oliver all of Scarborough, and Griffin, McKenzie, and Grady Smart all of South Portland Visiting hours celebrating Joan's life will be held on Friday, June 28, 2019 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, ME. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 9:15am followed by a 10:00am Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. To view Joan's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www. ConroyTullyWalker.com