Joan Marie Wurster

Joan Marie (Dicey) Wurster 9.27.39 – 12.16.24

 Joan Marie (Dicey) Wurster was born in Sommerville, MA in 1939. Joan spent her childhood in the outskirts of Boston and winters in Twin Mountain, New Hampshire. She also spent some of her summers in Prince Edward Island, Canada where her mother was born and raised. She was a member of the North Reading Cheerleading team, an expert baton twirler and Joan loved to dance! (She was a mean twister!) During her high school and early college years, Joan worked at her mom and dad’s restaurant up in Twin Mountain, NH and it was there that Joanie took up downhill skiing; a passion until she had a bad ankle break on Wildcat Mountain. Always up for an adventure, Joanie and a few pals hopped in a car, crutches and all and headed West to San Francisco. Joan gave up nursing after deciding she didn’t like the sight of blood and became a secretary for the head of Medical Education at St. Luke’s Hospital; it was there she met Richard “Dick” Wurster, a cute intern and the rest as they say, is history! Joan and Dick married in November of ’64 during the height of the Vietnam war and within a few months, Dick was shipped off to Saigon. Pregnant and missing her new husband, Joan stayed with her parents in New Hampshire. When Dick returned, they began a series of moves, building their family and eventually landing in Indianapolis; where they raised their four children, Kim, Rich, Jon and Jennifer. Joan had a knack for making things beautiful whether it was a living room, the Christmas mantel or a dinner party and her home was always open to all. She made beautiful quilts, Irish knit afghans, even did some painting. She was an excellent cook, threw great Christmas parties, and she had the patience of Job as she would teach her seven grandchildren how to make pancakes or bake cookies. Her sparkly blue eyes would light up when a favorite song was played, and her feet began to tap. She loved to travel and “make memories” with Dick, her children and their families and with friends. Joan loved to hit a casino and was always a winner! Those who knew and loved her, hit the Jackpot with Joan Marie. Joan is survived by her beloved husband of 60 years, Richard, her children, Kim Wurster (Stuart Zamsky), Rich Wurster Jr. (Joan Wurster), Jennifer Wurster and Jonathan Wurster and grandchildren Zachary, Maeve, Park, Owen, Ellery, Maxine, Gus and Claire.