Joan M. Hirst

Sterling - Joan M. (Woodman) Hirst, 83, passed away due to complications from Alzheimer's on July 9, 2026, at Dodge Park, Worcester.

Joan was born in Beverly, MA, the only daughter of the late Robert T. and Josephine R. (Sturtevant) Woodman. Joan was one of five cousins all born in 1943. They held a close bond, and whom Joan considered as her brothers and sisters. Early life was in Salem, MA, with her paternal grandparents during the war. The family moved to Wenham, MA, when she was in elementary school. She was a proud member of the Wenham Junior HS class of 1958, with whom she kept in touch and helped to organize class reunions throughout her life. After graduating from Beverly HS in 1961, she received her associate's degree from Green Mountain College in Poultney, VT (1963), and then her BS in accounting from the University of Rhode Island (1965). It was at URI that she met her husband, Paul K. Hirst. They married in 1968 and lived in Quantico, VA, Bar Harbor, ME, and Woburn, MA before settling in Sterling, MA, to raise their family in 1978. As an accountant and bookkeeper, she worked for Anthony Gangi, CPA, in Woburn, MA; the YMCA in Leominster, MA; and Dr. Paul Hart, MD, Family Practice, in Sterling, MA. Joan enjoyed spending summers throughout her life at the family homestead in Buckfield, ME. Joan was never not busy. Her passions outside her family included genealogy and knitting. Many (grand) nieces and nephews, friends, and family members have afghans, sweaters, and mittens lovingly made by Auntie Joan. She also knitted countless prayer shawls for the Epworth United Methodist Church prayer shawl ministry. Joan also generously gave of her accounting talents as a volunteer, serving as treasurer (in addition to other roles) for the Woburn UMC, Worcester Epworth UMC, Holden Rainbow Assembly No. 85, Sterling BSA Troop 189, and Worcester Cub Scout Pack #54, as well as the longtime treasurer for the Worcester Evening Free Medical Program. It was through the Worcester Evening Free Medical Program (now the Hart-Wood Free Medical Program) that she met her devoted partner for her second chapter, Ron Ramsay. Joan and Ron shared many adventures, frequently involving their beloved dog Agnes, including countless trips to Maine and trips to Alaska, Louisiana, and PEI. Even as Joan’s health declined, trips to Rota Springs for ice cream and to watch the cows could always be counted on to perk her up.

Joan is survived by her partner, Ronald Ramsay of Sterling; her son Keith and his wife, Alison Hirst, of Wilmington, MA; her grandsons, Taylor and Andrew Hirst; and her daughter Karen and her husband, Jef Spaleta, of Reston, VA. Of her cousins, Joan is survived by Blake (BG) Tewksbury and Charlene (Leonard) Nordstrom. She is survived by an extensive family, including many cousins, to whom she could tell you exactly how they were all related. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Paul Hirst, in 2012, and her cousins, Alan Robertson in 1994, and Rose Anna (Crockett) Gammon in 2024.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, August 3rd, 2026, at the Miles-Sterling Funeral Home and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road (Rte. 12), Sterling, MA. A memorial service for Joan will be held on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Epworth United Methodist Church, 64 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609. A private committal service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hart-Wood Free Medical Program (https://www.worcesterfreecare.org/medical-programs/hart-wood) or the Alzheimer’s Association (www. Alzheimer's Association ).  www.milesfuneralhome.com