SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – Joan R. (Stearns) Carey, daughter of Albert William and Mary Ann (Manley) Stearns, died Jan. 22, 2026, in Westmoreland, N.H. Joan was born on Oct. 21, 1931, in Waterbury, Conn. She attended school in Thomaston, Conn., and Mount Vernon, N.Y., and graduated from Springfield High School, Class of 1950. She attended Ithaca College.
She married her high school classmate Roger Francis Carey in Springfield, Vt., on April 23, 1955. Roger died on Nov. 13, 2005.
Mrs. Carey is survived by two sons: Philip J. Carey and his wife Andrea (Swierczynski), and their daughters Stella Carey, Emily (Thurber) Markwell, and Melissa (Thurber) Doucette, of Madison, Ala; and Keith A. Carey and his wife Elizabeth (Pippin), of Springfield, Vt.; along with three great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Mrs. Carey was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters Jeanne Anderson and Enid Barr, and one brother William Roy Stearns.
Mrs. Carey was actively involved with Cub Scouts as a den mother. She cofounded the Springfield 4-H horse club. She was a member of the Methodist Women’s Society, American Red Cross, board of trustees of Windsor County Farm Bureau, and Meals for Seniors. She knitted and crocheted hats and mittens for the Santa Claus Club. She enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, cross country skiing, and bird watching.
As per Mrs. Carey’s wishes, there will be no visiting hours. A graveside service will be held at a later date. Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield is assisting with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Methodist Church, Springfield, Vt., or the Springfield Humane Society.