Joan Blake Prouty

WESTBROOK – Joan Blake Prouty, 75, of Westbrook, passed away on June 13, 2024. Born to John M. Blake and Myrtle Ellis Blake on April 6, 1949, in Laconia, N.H., she spent much of her youth in South Portland and Cape Elizabeth. Later, Joan moved with her family to Orono, where she attended Orono High School, graduating in 1967. She went on to the University of Maine in Orono, graduating with a B.S. in Child Development in 1971, where she met her roommate and lifelong friend, Karen Boucias. While at UMO, she attended one semester at the prestigious Merrill-Palmer Institute in Detroit, Michigan.

Her career began at the East End Children’s Workshop, and she went on to become self-employed as a daycare provider maintaining very close ties with many of the children in her care. As her children grew older, she worked at the YWCA of Portland, becoming the Associate Executive Director and Acting Director. She completed her working career as the Associate Executive Director at the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP), working for and alongside her dear friend Trish Riley.

Joan was married to Thomas Prouty in Orono on Jan. 22, 1972. As an only child, she overcame the shock of marrying into a family with five brothers and a sister to become an integral part of the Prouty family. Together, Joan and Tom raised two children, Elizabeth “Beth” Prouty Orlando and John Blake Prouty. They resided in several Portland area homes, settling in Brydon Farm in Westbrook near dear friends Deana, Jean, and Lois. For many years they enjoyed boating on Sebago Lake. In recent years, her life revolved around golf at Val Halla Country Club, where she enjoyed the company of friends including Celeste, Penny, May, and Peg.

She is survived by her husband, daughter Beth and husband Keith of Gorham, son John and wife Heather of Ft. Fairfield, and grandchildren who meant the world to her: Samuel Orlando, Lucy Orlando, Jaiden Prouty, and Sebastian Barton. She maintained close relationships with new and old friends alike but had three friends in particular who she was close with for over 60 years, Sandy King, Julie Carmichael and Sue Wilson (but Joan was a lot older than Suzie).

Friends and relatives are invited to an informal remembrance that will take place at Rachel’s Restaurant located at the Val Halla Country Club on Monday, June 24, 2024, from 2–4 p.m.

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