Joan C. Anifant

FREEPORT – On Saturday, April 15, 2023, Joan C. Anifant, 89, formerly of Scarborough, died peacefully at the Hawthorne House in Freeport. Born on Feb. 13, 1934, Joan was the daughter of the late Charles and Karmaline (McGrath) Anifant.

Joan’s early education at Sacred Heart Elementary School and Cathedral High School was instrumental in her decision to join the Order of Sisters of the Good Shepherd shortly after graduation from high school.

As the young Sister Angela, Joan worked with troubled teenage girls who were placed under the care of the Sisters. Although initially being just slightly older than her charges, Joan’s persona was such that she established and maintained warm relationships with many of “her girls” that continued throughout her life. Various other assigned duties as a nun included, caring for ill and retired nuns, performing clerical work, serving as Mother Superior in several convents, and even assisting in the operations of several of the convent’s dairies.

Joan served in several convents throughout the Northeast, including Springfield and Marlborough, Mass., Wickatunk, N.J., Peekskill, N.Y., and Vermont. While in Peekskill, N.Y., Joan completed a bachelor’s degree at Fordham University.

When Joan left the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in 1969, her life changed. Joan did some travelling, which included a lengthy visit with her sister, Frances, in Sitka, Alaska where Joan worked as a substitute teacher at Sitka High School. Joan then worked at various jobs including proofreading, preparing Trip Tiks at AAA, working in the household of Sen. Edmund Muskie, and even owning and managing a beauty salon, which her Dad purchased for her. Eventually, however, Joan returned her “calling” by caring for retired and elderly women for the better part of her working life in various capacities, which included serving as the Director of Kaler-Vaill, a home for retired women in Scarborough. Upon retirement from Kaler-Vaill, Joan continued to work with the elderly on an individual basis, providing personal care, companionship, and her delicious meals.

In addition to her parents, Joan was predeceased by her sisters Margaret Maguire and Frances Anifant; as well as a great-nephew, Seth Mandel.

She is survived by her brother, David and his wife Barbara, of Hyde Park, N.Y. and her brother, Michael and his wife Cathy, of The Villages, Fla.

Also surviving are many nieces and nephews and their families, Michelle Anifant; Adrienne Schaentzler and her children Cillian and Collette; Jennifer Anifant, Stephanie Anifant; Rachel Mandel Trappen and her children, daughter Kimberly Robertson and Kimberly’s children, August and Bay, son Dylan and his son Theodore “Teddy”; Gregory Mandel, Margo Mandel; Peter Mandel and his daughter Molly; John Maguire and his son Ian; Louise Matczak and her son Derek Howes; Martha Ingalls, and Mary Ellen Moquin. Surviving beloved cousins include Francis Kennedy and Evelyn Anderson.

A viewing for family and friends will be held at 1-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3 at the Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, ME 04103. A mass of Christian burial for Joan will be held Thursday, May 4 at 10 a.m. at Holy Martyrs Church, 266 Foreside Rd., in Falmouth.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com for the Anifant family.