Ruth Joan Bock Brew

Joan Brew, 98, of Nashua New Hampshire and formerly a long-time Trumbull Connecticut resident, died Thursday (November 3) at The Huntington, Nashua, New Hampshire after a brief illness.

She leaves one daughter, Betsey Boyd and her husband John of Weston, Massachusetts; two sons, Dwight Brew and his wife Carrie of Amherst, New Hampshire and Jonathan Brew and his wife Beth of Powhatan, Virginia; five grandchildren, Alex Brew and his wife Talita, Alexandra Boyd, Sarah Brew, Jackie Brew and Thomas Brew; three great grandsons, Nicholas, Noah and Nathan Brew. Joan’s devoted husband of 56 years, H. Richard “Dick” Brew, and sister Margery predeceased her.

Joan grew up in Fairfield, CT, graduated from Lauralton Hall and Penn State University, and earned a Master’s Degree from Columbia University. During college, she worked summers for General Electric, inspecting dynamo generators used in aircraft during World War II.

She spent decades working to promote the well-being of children and their families. In 1947 she founded the Hillandale Nursery School in Trumbull which she directed until 1985. While raising her three children, she volunteered with a variety of non-profit groups, including founding programs for children at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bridgeport.

She was a member of UNIFEM, part of United Nations Women, raising money for women and children in conflict areas. As President of the Women’s Staff for the Children’s Ward of Bridgeport Hospital, she arranged for a severely ill child from Kosovo and her parents to receive housing, transportation, food and clothing while receiving medical care and surgery at the hospital pro bono. Her group raised money to improve the hospital experience of children and their families, and she was honored by the staff of the Bridgeport Hospital for her outstanding contributions and service.

She chaired the “Women Rallying for Women” tennis event for the YWCA to raise funds for shelters for abused women and their children. Joan established a garden therapy program for seniors in nursing homes.

Joan took great pleasure spending time with her husband Dick and her family, be it winters in Vermont, at the beach in Maine, on a European cruise, or just relaxing with them at home in Connecticut or at the Huntington in Nashua.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Saint John’s Episcopal Church, 768 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604.

There will be a private burial service.

No calling hours are planned.