CONCORD ---- JoAnn Swanson Halloran (formerly Maxfield), 90, of John Whitaker Place in Concord, NH, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2026, at the Granite VNA Hospice House.
Born December 30, 1935, in Manchester, NH, JoAnn was the daughter of the late Harry and Florina (Boulanger) Swanson. She lived her life with kindness, generosity, humor, and a quiet strength that touched the people around her.
After attending Katharine Gibbs School in Providence, JoAnn married a widower with three young boys. Together they built a blended family and welcomed four more children. JoAnn devoted herself to raising their lively household and creating a home filled with warmth, good food, laughter, and love. She loved cooking and entertaining and had a special gift for making people feel welcome and cared for.
Later, JoAnn built a successful and varied career in sales, forming lasting relationships wherever she worked. She also gave generously of her time to her community, volunteering for library arts and science exhibits, ski club and church events, and organizing luncheons and dinners serving hundreds of people. She chaired her town’s bloodmobile program for two years, significantly increasing participation. Helping others was simply part of who JoAnn was.
JoAnn found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved gardening, reading, puzzles, bingo, and spending time with the people she loved. In her later years, knitting became especially meaningful to her. She made scarves for seemingly everyone she could, each one a small expression of her generosity and care. She was proudly working on her 281st scarf when she passed away.
JoAnn was also known for her special “heart-to-heart” hugs, which she insisted be given heart to heart. Those hugs captured her beautifully — warm, sincere, comforting, and full of love.
She treasured her time at John Whitaker Place, a home she truly loved, where she found friendship, companionship, and a wonderful sense of belonging. Even as dementia softened some of her memories in her later years, the warmth of her spirit and her love for those around her remained.
Above all, JoAnn’s greatest pride was her family. She is survived by her daughter Katherine Whedon (James) of Loudon; her sons Richard Maxfield (Vicki) of Enfield, Peter Maxfield (Heidi) of South Lake Tahoe, California, John Maxfield of Newport, and Bill Maxfield of Newport; her grandchildren Melissa Crowe (Travis) of Lebanon, Kaley Johnson (Pat) of Stratham, Peter Maxfield of Rye, Allan Leech of Montana, Jim Whedon (Nicole) of Northfield, and Ryan Whedon of Denver; and her great-grandsons Jackson and Kamden Crowe, Parker and Liam Johnson, and Blake Whedon. She is also survived by many cherished nieces and nephews, each of whom held a special place in her heart and by members of her former husband’s family, with whom she shared lasting bonds of love and respect.
She was predeceased by her daughter, Barbara Maxfield, and granddaughter, Brooke Willis; her son, Tom Maxfield; her brother, Allan Swanson; her parents, Harry and Florina Swanson; and John F. Maxfield III, the father of her children.
At JoAnn’s request, no services will be held.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor her memory may make a donation to a charity of their choice.
JoAnn leaves behind far more than memories. She leaves the kindness she showed, the people she helped, the family she loved, the scarves she made, and countless heart-to-heart hugs. Her gentle strength, humor, and generous spirit will continue to live on in those fortunate enough to have known and loved her.
She will be held in our hearts always. Love, light and laughter.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services / 603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.