Joan A. (Betterly) McAndrews

NASHUA, NH – Joan A. (Betterly) McAndrews, age 82, passed away peacefully at home on November 15, 2021, after a lengthy battle with breast cancer. She never let the cancer define her and maintained a positive outlook the entire time. Joan was born in Hazleton, PA on June 18, 1939, the daughter of the late Ken and Betty (Broyan) Betterly and grew up in nearby St. Johns, PA on her family’s dairy farm.

She was a graduate of West Hazleton High School and Harrisburg Polyclinic Hospital School of Nursing. Joan married Tom McAndrews in 1961, celebrating 60 years together earlier this year. They resided in North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, and Delaware before settling in Nashua in 1976.

Joan began her nursing career at Cape Fear Valley Hospital in North Carolina then moved to St. Luke’s Hospital in New York City. In Nashua, she worked for a variety of healthcare organizations including Greenbriar, Nashua Memorial Hospital, Matthew Thornton, and Dartmouth-Hitchcock where she retired in 2004. She was an enthusiastic traveler who visited 37 countries and especially cherished her many extended trips to the Outer Banks of NC and Puerta Vallarta, Mexico with her family and friends.

Generous, kind and a friend to many, she loved socializing with family and long-time friends. Joan loved spending time with her grandsons, rarely missing one of their many lacrosse and baseball games. She was involved in the formation of a program which brought health care services to underserved Nashua residents.

In addition to her husband, Tom, she is survived by her children; Tom and his wife Cathy of Nashua, NH, Jeff of Nashua, NH, and her grandchildren Austin and Aiden McAndrews. She is also survived by her brother Terry Betterly of San Francisco, CA and cousins Judy Yamulla and Gail Folk of Pennsylvania.

SERVICES: Friends are invited to Joan’s visitation on SATURDAY, November 20th from 3:00 until 5:00 PM at DAVIS FUNERAL HOME, 1 Lock Street, Nashua, NH 03064. A prayer service will take place in the funeral home at 5:00 PM. Interment will take place at the convenience of her family. Donations may be made in Joan’s name to the Front Door Agency, 7 Concord St, Nashua, NH 03064. An online guest-book is available at www.davisfuneralhomenh.com (603) 883-3401. “ONE MEMORY LIGHTS ANOTHER.”