Joan C. Bergdahl

SALISBURY — Joan C. Bergdahl, 94, died on April 23, 2020, at Sharon Hospital after a period of declining health. 

Joan was born on July 13, 1925, in Shaker Heights, Ohio, to the late Ann (Deluca) and Tom Carvon. 

Her family moved to southern California in the 1930s, then settled in New Rochelle, N.Y., where she graduated from high school. Joan commuted into New York City to work and to attend night classes at Columbia University. 

On Oct. 9, 1954, she married her husband of 35 years, Herbert O. Bergdahl. 

They made their home in Lime Rock, in a house built by Herb and his father. 

At various points in her long and remarkable life, Joan was a wartime newspaper reporter at the New Rochelle Standard-Star, an orthodontist’s assistant, ran an in-home sewing school, and served as an executive secretary. 

She ended her career in her 80s as a Realtor, selling properties throughout the Northwest Corner of Connecticut and in the Tri-state area. 

She served in leadership positions at many community and religious organizations, including The Lime Rock Protection Committee, the Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association, the Connecticut Council of Catholic Women and the Canaan chapter of the Daughters of Isabella. 

Joan was an outstanding cook and baker, taking the blue ribbon for her apple pie at the Goshen Fair. She enjoyed preparing elaborate holiday meals and extended her hospitality to anyone who wanted a seat at her table. 

Joan kept her mind sharp by watching the news and solving the NYT crossword puzzle in ink, every day, for decades. 

She laughed to excess and loved with abandon.

She was predeceased by husband Herb in 1989; her parents; her in-laws, Grace (Mayston) and Herbert O. Bergdahl; and her siblings, Tom Carvon and Adrienne C. Moran.

Joan is survived by her four children, who were her pride and joy, Herbert O. Bergdahl of Lime Rock, Brian C. Bergdahl and his wife, Cathy, of Stafford, Va., Grace B. McNamara and her husband, Marc, of Gilmanton, N.H., and John V. Bergdahl of New York City. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Erik Bergdahl, Sarah Bergdahl and her husband, Kevin Anderson, and Alexa G. McNamara; many nieces and nephews, including Patricia Bergdahl and her husband, David Tyrrell of West Granby, Conn.,  and the extended Moran family; and a network of family and friends, especially Dina Segalla of Norfolk. To know Joan was to love her. She will be missed forever and celebrated often.

Joan’s family is grateful for the assistance and support of the Salisbury VNA and Hospice in the last weeks of her life, and to the dedicated staff at Sharon Hospital, working under the most difficult of situations at this time.

Burial will be private, and future services will be announced at a later date. 

The Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon is assisting with arrangements. 

Donations may be made in her name to a charity of your choice.

Please honor her memory by enjoying your family and friends, eating a delicious dessert, and watching the TV way too loud.