Josephine (Joan) Wales passed away peacefully on August 5, 2020 in her apartment at Brooksby Village in Peabody, MA.
Joan was born on March 14, 1935 in Brooklyn, NY to Louis Alparone and Sara (Wallshein) Alparone. Growing up, she was often put in charge of her sister Linda, who was five years younger. (If you knew Linda, you’ll understand this couldn’t have been an easy job!) They lived in a two-family house with her Aunt Sadie and Uncle Louie and their children upstairs. Joan enjoyed Broadway musicals, piano, and family dinners. After she graduated from Lafayette High School in 1953 Joan traveled with her sister and father on the Andrea Doria to Sicily to visit with family. Joan married an Italian business man, Bruno Sabato in 1957. They lived in Mexico City until his untimely death in 1958. Joan returned to NY to assist her parents at their hardware and flooring store, that she would eventually manage, in lower Manhattan.
In 1965 she married David Wales, who worked at Brookhaven Laboratories. They enjoyed 36 years together in Patchogue, NY until his death in 2001. Together they appreciated fast cars, fast boats, and a fast life (or as fast as life can get in Patchogue). They made a home together with a meticulous garden and a menagerie of beloved pets. Joan worked as a decorator, floral designer, and party planner. She earned the distinction of Master Gardener and was a founding member of Long Island Master Gardeners where she conducted craft classes and mentored and supported many other members. She was also an active member of Homemakers and the Herb Society.
In 2013, Joan moved to Brooksby Village to be closer to family. At Brooksby she enjoyed art classes, creative writing groups, competitive scrabble games, and volunteering at the Treasure Chest.
Throughout her life, she pursued many art forms: ceramics, painting, and jewelry making. To the end, Joan enjoyed discussions among a range of topics: politics, stocks, literature, the arts, and family. She was the charmer of every event, exuding glamour and a wry sense of humor. She was a true animal lover and believed in charity towards dog and cat adoptions.
Joan is survived by her niece Stacey Fix and her husband Joe, her nephew Louis Blatt and his partner Stephanie Leeper, step-son Tommy Wales and his wife Shari, grandniece Sara Fix and her husband Joe DiIanni, grandniece Mellissa Blatt, grandnephew Dylan Blatt, and her dearest friend Normina Keller, her closest cousin Norman Janowitz and family friend Sy Wexler.
Due to COVID-19, services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to: Long Island Master Gardeners, Brookhaven Ecology Site 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville, NY, 11742. Attention: Lorraine Leacock, Treasurer.
Her cremated remains will be laid to rest at the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn NY. in 2021.
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