Joan Crook Smith King, 93

Warwick, R.I.

Joan Crook Smith King, a Warwick resident for 64 years, passed away on Dec. 1, 2020. She was born and raised in Pawtucket, R.I., and graduated from Pawtucket West High School in 1944. She graduated from R.I. State College, now URI, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business in 1948 as well as R.I. College in 1968 with a Masters of Art in Teaching. Joan ran the family restaurant-equipment business while simultaneously attending night school and raising two young children. After earning her teaching degree, she taught elementary school in Warwick until her retirement.

After she retired from teaching, she and her husband, Bob, often golfed, skied and rode bikes in North Hero, Vt., as well as the Lincoln, N.H., area. Joan was an expert skier and skied into her 70’s. She loved riding bikes, golf and enjoyed her Boston Whaler and sailing and swimming in Narragansett Bay.

As a single parent, Joan made sure her family had activities that they could enjoy together. Many vacations were spent on Block Island, Nantucket, the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire and the coast of Maine. One of her favorite places to have a picnic lunch and watch the bay, wildlife, boats and people was Conimicut Point Park in Warwick. She met monthly for lunch with some of her “Classymates,” friends from her Pawtucket West High School class, until COVID-19 prevented it. She was active in different groups at Asbury Methodist Church in Warwick, including their book club. Other interests included bowling with a Warwick bowling league, playing cards, solving crossword puzzles, and watching the New England Patriots and NASCAR races. She had a wealth of knowledge, diverse interests, a “can do” attitude, a generous personality and a love of life.