PITTSTON – Joan Lee Pushard, 69, passed peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Oct. 5, 2021, due to complications from a rare blood cancer, Myelofibrosis. She was born in Augusta on Nov. 30, 1951, to Harold and Betty (Gerard) Austin, and was one of nine children. She lived in Vassalboro, as a child, and moved to Litchfield where she attended Monmouth Academy. At a wedding rehearsal she met the love of her life, Tom, and just over a year later they married on Feb. 14, 1970. They were happily married for 51 years. Joan had an entrepreneurial spirit having created an online and retail gift basket store in Gardiner along with her real gift of providing daycare services out of her home in Randolph for many years. Joan took great happiness in teaching young children, including her five grandchildren, how to bake and make special treats. Her “banannie bread”, peanut butter balls, and needhams were infamous to all that knew her. Joan enjoyed the ocean and beach along with camping, fishing, kayaking, and anything that included being around her family. Family truly was her world. Although she never wanted to be the center of attention, her ability to make others feel comfortable, welcomed, and loved, made people gravitate to her. She was always willing to give to friends, family, and even strangers in need. She felt strongly about giving to organizations such as Maine Children’s Home for little Wanderers in Waterville and St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital along with other local charities. She is survived by her loving husband, Thomas W. Pushard; son Timothy Pushard and his wife, Tiffany, their two daughters, Phoebe and Fiona; daughter, Danielle Baron and her husband, Craig, their daughters, Marissa and Sophia and son, Trevor. She is also survived by her mother-in-law, brothers-in-laws, sister-in-law, and several nieces and nephews.“JOAN” Admired and adored for her grace and loveliness. She has high values and expects more ofherself than of others. Her kindness is exceeded only by her capacity to love. The family wants to say “thank you” to the team at Harold Alfond Cancer Center in Augusta, with special appreciation to Dr. Ridhi Gupta and nurse Susie for the heartfelt care. At Joan’s request, there will be no services at this time. She wanted a celebration of life gathering in the Spring. Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website: http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.comWe ask in her memory and honor to please donate blood and platelets through your local Red Cross.

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