GRAY -- Joan A. Pierce, 76, of Gray, Maine, died Saturday, February 24, 2007, at the Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn, Maine after a four-month struggle with pancreatic cancer.

Joan was born on February 26, 1930 in Providence, R.I. where her parents, George Plourd and Anne Connolly, of Maine lived and worked briefly.Joan grew up on Munjoy Hill and attended Portland schools, graduating from Portland High in 1948.

As a young woman, prior to marriage, Joan worked at Porteous on Congress Street, and later as a telephone operator and office assistant.It was while working at Portland Motor Sales that she met her husband, Clyde Walker Pierce, Jr.While raising her daughter, she pursued many passions, including starting her own business, West Gray Antiques, and working as a reporter for the Lewiston-Sun.She eventually worked full-time until retirement in the Alumni Office of USM, thoroughly enjoying planning events for alumni.Up until her illness, she sought to make the world a better place by creating beauty around her, especially through gardens.She served many years in St. Mary's Garden Club, the Longfellow Garden Club, and the Garden Club Federation of Maine.Family and friends will be pleased to know that she got up and danced in her final days with flowers all around her.

She is survived by her devoted husband of forty six years, Clyde Walker Pierce of Gray, her daughter Patricia Erikson, son-in-law Johan Erikson, and granddaughter Annika Erikson of Steilacoom, Washington and Peaks Island, Maine; two stepsons: Dale Pierce (Sebago) and Clyde Pierce III (Bridgton); her brother and his wife Eugene and Rosemary Plourd (North Waterboro); eight nieces and nephews; and her grandson Glenn Pierce and his wife and two sons (Whidbey Naval Air Station, Washington).

Relatives and friends are invited to a funeral mass at St. Gregory's Parish on Friday, March 2 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception at the parish hall. Graveside services will be private and held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society in Joan's memory. Arrangements under the care of Wilson Funeral Home, 24 Shaker Road, Gray.