Joan Lewis Jewett

Joan Lewis Jewett

Sep 4, 1930 - Aug 17, 2024

Joan Lewis Jewett died peacefully on August 17 at the age of 93, ending a happy and fruitful life. Joan was a gracious, generous and open person, not prone to quick judgements. She was a natural athlete and enjoyed playing sports – tennis, riding, skiing and golf were her favorites -- before it was commonplace for women to do so. She loved her garden and spent countless hours growing plants and observing their development and beauty.

Joan was born in Warwick, New York in 1930 and grew up between there and New York City. Her parents, Madison and Elizabeth Lewis, had a lovely home on East 73rd Street and a weekend/summer house in Warwick, NY. She was the middle of three sisters – Hopie, Joan and Lily – who remained close through life, meeting up often at gatherings of the extended family. 

Joan attended Chapin School and boarding school at Chatham Hall, where she developed a love of riding. She graduated in 1952 from Vassar College where she captained the tennis team and was Class President.

Joan met Freeborn Garrettson “Garry” Jewett through Yale-Vassar connections, and they were married in 1952 in Warwick, beginning a long and happy marriage together, until his death in 2022. Their early married years were spent in New Haven as Garry completed Law School, and then in New York City as he launched his legal career. In 1960, they relocated to McLean, VA when Garry joined the newly opened InterAmerican Development Bank. They settled into a life pattern with the school year in McLean punctuated by summers in Warwick, with annual side trips to Stonington, Maine, and the Adirondacks. Their home in McLean was an oasis close to the city, where their children and their growing families and friends were always welcome. Joan seemed to thrive in the chaos of their busy lives.

Joan and Garry were gracious and tireless hosts. Their Christmas Carol and Daffodil-picking parties were large happy affairs for the young and old. When they were not hosting parties, they were attending them. Socializing was a demanding sport in those days amongst their circle of friends.

Joan taught for years at The Lab School in Washington, DC, after earning a M.Ed. in Special Education from American University. Earlier, she had worked in Admissions for the Madeira School. Her first job after college was teaching history in New Haven.

Together with Garry, she saved the historic Pleasant Grove Church across from the house in McLean and created a group to support its ongoing preservation and use. She also volunteered on committees to support the Washington National Cathedral.

Joan enjoyed playing sports at the Chevy Chase Club, St. Albans Tennis Club, Ausable Club, Gibson Island Club and the Warwick Valley Country Club. She was also a long-time member of the Sulgrave Club in Washington, DC. She and Garry were enthusiastic members of the Waltz Group. She founded and led the McLean Foreign Policy Group with some close friends in the early 1970s, to develop a deeper understanding of foreign affairs.

Joan is survived by her elder sister, Mary Hope Lewis, and by her six children: Lucy Lowenthal (Peter) of Bethesda, MD; Garrett Jewett of Warwick, NY; Sanford Jewett (Beth) of Warrenton, VA; Edward Jewett (Alexandra) of Upper Montclair, NJ; Libby Jewett (Stephen Teach) of Lincoln, VT; and Hope McKalip (Fred) of Upperville, VA. 

Joan’s grandchildren are Rachel Lowenthal, Max Lowenthal, Garrett Jewett (Bridget), Fielder Jewett (Hunter Doohan), Reid Jewett Smith (Matt), Georgia Jewett Skene (Florian), Karolina Canning (Will), Sasha Kellogg (Drew), Marlena Joan Jewett, Owen Teach (Anna), Eliza Teach (Thomas), Konrad McKalip and Nick McKalip. Joan’s great-grandchildren are F. Garrettson Jewett V, Elizabeth Foster Jewett Smith, Hope Bromley Jewett Smith, Marie Helene Jewett Skene, T. Sanford Jewett Skene, Violet Elizabeth Canning, Clements Rhoad Teach and Michaela Winter Kellogg. 

We are so grateful for the care and friendship of Morrisey Bryant, Judy Gray, Anwar Said, Julio Fuentes and Jeaneth Rodriguez. The family also wishes to thank the excellent team of caregivers who provided Mom’s care for the last few years: Tina Addoteye, Mary Heyward, Marissa Doctor, Meski Belay, Shitaye Zewdie and Anita Jennings. Thank you all so much.

A memorial service will be held in Warwick, New York on October 5, 2024. We suggest that donations in Joan’s memory be made to The Friends of Pleasant Grove, www.historicpleasantgrove.org, Vassar College, https://www.vassar.edu/ or The Washington National Cathedral, https://cathedral.org/. 

We invite you to join us in celebrating the life of our loved one on this dedicated webpage. Your condolences, stories, and pictures will be cherished by the family and will provide comfort during this difficult time. 

Care entrusted to Thibadeau Mortuary Service, p.a., 124 E Diamond Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-5009, 301-495-4950, www.InterFaithFunerals.com.