Mary Joan Churchward Jenkins
Mary Joan Churchward Jenkins of Summer Island, Branford, died peacefully at home on Jan. 18 surrounded by her family and loving caretakers. The daughter of the late Martha Squires Churchward and Jack Churchward, she lived in New York, Ohio, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania before returning home to her family house in Branford.
Joan was an athlete and avid Connecticut Huskies women’s basketball fan. She was a self-taught biologist and an active member and volunteer for the Branford Garden Club and Branford Land Trust. She was also a prior member of the Hershey Curling Club and Branford Bowling League.
She is survived by daughters Martha Jenkins (Michael Sullivan) of Northampton, Massachusetts, Elizabeth McConahy Jenkins of Louisville, Kentucky, son David Jenkins of Guam; and her five loving grandchildren, Alexander, Nicholas, Emma, Sebastian, and Kate.
A memorial service will be held in Branford in April 2015, details to follow. Contributions may be made in Joan’s memory to the Branford Land Trust.