April 5, 1933 – August 19, 2022
Our hearts are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our mother, Joan Elaine (Gosse) Chandler, 89, of Camp Hill, PA, formerly of Medford, MA, and Reading, MA, at home surrounded by her family on Friday, August 19, 2022.
Joan was born April 5, 1933, in Medford, MA, the daughter of the late Charles W. and Alyce M. (Colby) Gosse and the wife of 52 years to the late Vernon E. Chandler, Jr.
She is survived by her seven children, Vernon E. Chandler, III (Maureen) of South Hamilton, MA; Steven A. Chandler (Diane) of Longmeadow, MA; Scott L. Chandler (Tania) of Nashua, NH; Elaine C. Salomone (Tony) of Harrisburg, PA; Kimberly E. Portzline (Tim) of Camp Hill, PA; Joan E. Weston (Fiancé Brian) of Camp Hill, PA; Eric C. Chandler (Elizabeth) of Swampscott, MA, as well as 17 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 15 nieces and nephews.
She also leaves two sisters, Janet L. Smith (Fred) of Tewksbury, MA, and Shirley G. Cocoran (William) of Stoneham, MA. She is preceded in death by three brothers, Charles, William and Warren Gosse and two sisters, Beverly Gillis and Charlene Currie.
In her youth, Joan was a competitive roller skater, spending much time at the Bal-A-Roue Roller Skating rink in Medford, MA, was a member of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls, and a piano player. She was a 1951 graduate of Medford High School, Medford, MA. Devoted to her family, Joan was a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Boy Scout mom, Little League, track and soccer mom. She served as First Lady of Mt. Hermon Lodge AF & AM, Medford, MA, while also serving as Head Mother for the Order of DeMolay, Reading, MA.
Joan was caregiver to the late Vernon E. and Marjorie E. Morton Chandler, Sr. while also raising her seven children. She was a patriot and proud military spouse and grandmother. She was a former member of Old South United Methodist Church, Reading, MA, and current member of Camp Hill United Methodist Church, Camp Hill, PA, and a lifelong Red Sox fan.
In celebration of Joan’s life, funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, August 25 at Camp Hill United Methodist Church, Camp Hill, PA. A viewing will be held 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 24th at Myers-Baker Funeral Home, Camp Hill, PA.
In her memory, donations may be made to the Salvation Army, Shriners Hospital, Boston, MA, Residential Hospice, Mechanicsburg, PA.
