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Maria J. Williams (“Jesse”) passed away on May 24, 2021, after a period of declining health. Born in Philadelphia on Oct. 20, 1956, Maria grew up an only child in her family’s home on Oakland Avenue in Oak Bluffs, where she attended school. Her childhood was a typical one of friends, school, summer vacations, and […]
The Martha s Vineyard Times
On a chilly morning on Jan. 22, 2021, Joan Gentry Patadal died peacefully in the arms of her beloved daughter, Beatrice Patadal Pattarroyo. After the past 40 years, Joan bravely faced multiple catastrophic illnesses with humor, intelligence, understanding, and courage, with a positive will to live.
In 1950, Joan was born to James and Beatrice Vanderhoop Gentry on the Island; she was the baby of the family. Joan’s father was in the Air Force, and was stationed at Stewart Air Force Base in New York, and in Germany, where he retired with the family, moving to Oklahoma in the winter and Martha’s Vineyard in the summer. The family eventually moved to the Island year-round. During the winter in Oklahoma, Joan had piano lessons, and her teacher recognized her talents. She entered Joan in the state championship, and Joan won second in the state.