Joan Critchlow

Joan Critchlow, age 88 of McKinney, Texas, passed away on July 29, 2017. She was born on August 30, 1928 in Sharon, Connecticut to Orris Ray and Maude Jewell (Marshall) Critchlow. Joan was abeloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a proud member of the Class of 1949of Smith Collegein Northampton, Massachusetts.Joan had four children with Ed Bennett. She recovered from multiple severe strokes without physical therapy due to the misdiagnosis of illness in her late 20s. She cared deeply for those less fortunate than she and became an advocate for civil rights, women's equality, aid to the poor and protection for the disabled and elderly. After traveling all over the country, she fell in love with Silver City, NM. and settled there near her elder son. During her seventies Joan returned to her Christian faith and became active in her church. She found sheer joy in driving her great-grandchildren all over on her scooter until the battery died. Preceded in death by her husband and one son, she is survived by three children, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Surviving are her children, Katharine Oehmann and husband, Carl, Samuel Costy-Bennett and wife, Deborah, and Sarah Bennett; brother, James Critchlow and wife, Patty; grandchildren, Wendy Heimonen and husband, Bill, Laurel Mercer and husband, Eric, Mara Costy-Bennett, and husband, Noah Syroid, Seres Cross and husband, Peter; great-grandchildren, Gracie Mercer, Cash Mercer, Wilson Mercer, Liam Heimonen, Everett Syroid, Grayson Cross, Kiya Cross; and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by son, Timothy Bennett.