Waltham
JoAnn Barton Haslam, age 87, passed away Jan. 12, 2021, after complications from a stroke. She was born July 9, 1933, in Hodgdon, the daughter of Geneva Carpenter Barton and Charles Barton, a true Maine “county girl.”
She graduated from Hodgdon High School at age 16 and attended Ricker College in Houlton. During her education, she was captain of the cheerleading squad, on the debate team, as well as Queen of the Ricker College Snowball and Miss Aroostook County.
She worked at the Boston Shoe Store and Bangor & Aroostook Railroad in Houlton. She married Thurston “Dusty” Haslam in 1955, when he was a Maine state trooper. They soon started farming and opened John & Dusty’s Service Station in Littleton. They moved to Ellsworth in the late 1960s to run the family farm in Waltham. They went on to run T.E. Haslam Corp. businesses for building moving and storage trailers. In the 1970s, she owned Ellsworth Real Estate with her dear friend Judy Trefethen Frey.
As an artist who loved painting, she took classes from the late William Moise. She later switched her artistic flair to quilting. Hundreds of people have quilts that she made, from family and friends to women’s shelters, NICU, breast cancer patients and many more.
Her love of travel took her on a solo trip throughout Europe, as well as many trips with friends throughout the U.S., Canada, Caribbean and Hawaii.
Best known for always being hospitable, no matter the time of day or night, her coffee, tea, muffins, pie or cookies were always ready. Her ability to cook, making something from nothing, amazed everyone. The warmth of her personality was matched by the warmth of her much-loved wood cookstove in the kitchen that everyone rests their feet upon.
She was a voracious reader, often finishing four to five books per week. She enjoyed conversations with anyone on virtually any subject. Her ability to keep people engaged in conversation was incredible. Her gentle and patient nature was also seen in her endearing love of animals, nature and birds.
She was a life member of the Irene Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, Hancock County Quilters, Maine Coast Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Maine Antique Tractor Club, as well as a Girl Scout troop leader extraordinaire.
She is survived by son, Andrew Haslam, and Kellie Stratton of South Portland, daughter, Perian Haslam and very favorite granddaughter, Laney JoAnn Phillips and her father, Stephen Phillips of Orr’s Island; her sister, C. Hope Nightingale of Washington; Donald Haslam of Trenton, Dwight and Estelle “Tiny” Haslam of Portland, John Barrows of Florida; many multigenerational nieces, nephews and true friends. Special thanks to her amazing caregivers who treated her like the Queen she was. She was predeceased by her husband, Thurston “Dusty” Haslam, her brothers, Charles, Donald and Gordon Barton, and sister Ellen; in-laws Wayne and Sally Haslam, Donna Barrows and Marilyn Haslam.
A private burial will be Thursday, Jan. 14, at Hillside Cemetery in Waltham. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either of these nonprofit organizations: Maine Pine Tree Quilters Guild Inc. Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 5405, Augusta, ME 04332-5405 or the Anah Shriners Hospitals for Children, 1404 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401.
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.