Joanne Knapp Taylor Wright passed away on July 4, 2006 at her home in Needham. Born March 8, 1939 to Phebe Folger Russell Taylor and Captain William Simpson Taylor. She was the granddaughter of Benjamin Franklin Winslow of Brookline who was an architect and built the family home in Peterborough N.H. as well as many commercial buildings in the town. He was one of the founders of the Peterborough Hospital and the son of George Owen Knapp, a leading founder of Union Carbide CO.
Joanne grew up in Dedham, MA and moved to Lexington, KY in 1941 during the war. She then returned back to the family farm in Millis with siblings, Benjamin, Robert, and Laurie Taylor in 1945. She attended Dedham Country Day School and graduated from Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill MA in 1957. She made her debut at the Boston Cotillion in 1957. She graduated from Bradford JR College and attended Sarah Lawrence College. She graduated from University of Ma and received her Masters in Counseling Psychology at Cambridge College. She worked at Bournewood Hospital, St Elizabeth’s and NORCAP.
Joanne was married to Cdr. Murray Harriman Wright of Peterborough N.H. in 1961, a career officer in the Navy based in Pensacola FL. Later they were stationed at Sangley Point, Philippines. She traveled extensively to France, Hong Kong, India, Thailand, and vacationed at Nantucket Island and Aruba.
She is survived by her children, Laura Youngblood of Lock Haven, PA, Benjamin Russell Wright of Walpole and Robert Wright of Colorado She was the sister of Benjamin Russell Taylor of Santa Rosa CA, Robert Simpson Taylor and Laurie Taylor Gardos both of Peterborough NH. Grandmother of Joseph Taylor Youngblood of Lack Haven PA. Memorial services will be held at the First Parish Unitarian -Universalist, 23 Dedham Ave. Needham on Friday July 14 at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment private. In lieu of flowers donations in Joanne’s name may be made to the First Parish Unitarian-Universalist, 23 Dedham Ave Needham MA 02492. Arrangements by the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Ave Needham.