JOAN J. (BASSETT) BARNES SIPAYIK – Joan J. (Bassett) Barnes, 73, passed away Aug. 27, 2010, at her home after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born Sept. 11, 1936, at Sipayik, daughter of Edward and Florence (Neptune) Bassett. Upon graduation from Shead High School in 1956, Joan moved to Massachusetts, where she worked several jobs in order to support her children. Eventually Joan moved back to Sipayik with her three children where she worked for many years, first as an education technician and then as a Passamaquoddy language cultural instructor, until she retired from Beatrice Rafferty School. Upon her retirement she continued this passion by transcribing for the tribal museum and the Passamaquoddy-Maliseet dictionary. Joan served as a member of Penobscot Language Revitalization Program, Passamaquoddy Players Theater Group, as well as many other projects to help promote the Passamaquoddy language. She was regularly sought out as a treasured resource for cultural preservation. Joan was a kind and soft-spoken Passamaquoddy elder, who was loved by everyone who knew her. She was a respected elder within her beloved Passamaquoddy community. Her quiet strength and cheerful demeanor will be missed by all. Joan loved her life spent with her family, especially joyous days with her grandchildren. She also took great joy in “secret” trips to try her luck at the slots or Beano with her sisters and daughters. Joan was a member of St Anne’s Parish, serving as a Eucharistic minister. She volunteered in the community as a member of Peaceful Relations Advisory Committee. Joan had a special compassion for nursing home residents and visited them often. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Barnes; her parents; four brothers and three sisters. She is survived by three children, Rhonda Paul and her companion, Donnell Dana Sr., Cheryl Paul and her companion, Gilbert Tomah Jr., and Darren Paul and his wife, Donna; grandchildren, Christopher (Sipuh), Kristin, Sierra Rose, Mitchell, Andre and Jacob, all of Sipayik; her siblings, Pauline Gabriel, Francis Bassett, Mali Bassett and Earl Bassett Sr. of Sipayik and Elaine Wiatrak of Beaver Falls, Pa.; 66 nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Robert Barnes Jr. and Jennifer, Kelly and David Henderson, Brian and Denise Barnes, and their children Libby, Stephen, Michelle and Rebekha. Joan was also a faithful friend of Bill Wilson for 31 years. Traditional wake will be held at the home of Rhonda Paul from Sunday morning until a funeral Mass 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 30, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. Burial at Tribal Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Downeast Hospice, American Cancer Society or the Edward L. Bassett Scholarship Fund.
PAUL DARREN
