Obituary of Joan M. Faulkingham

JOAN THOMPSON DUNBAR FAULKINGHAM, 81 of Searsport, left us on October 20, 2019 after a long struggle with cancer. Joan was born as a twin to Ethel Edgecomb-Moore Thompson on March 27, 1938 in Belfast. Joan is survived by her children, Debra-Jo Dunbar Middleswart and husband Nathan Curtis, Darren Dunbar and wife Sherry, Derek Dunbar and wife Wendy, all of Searsport, John Faulkingham and wife Faith of Belfast; step-sons Austin Faulkingham and wife Liz and Roger Faulkingham and wife Vicky, all of Minnesota. She was also blessed with her grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, Michael and wife Vanessa with daughter Jaya and soon to arrive baby, Ryan Middleswart and wife Nicole and children Carter, Ezra and Beckham, Nicholas Faulkingham and wife Sue and children Audra, Jackson and Connor, Christian Miller, Kyle Dunbar, Casey Coad and husband Nicholas and daughter Emilia, Kristol and children Skylar, Aryana and Jayden, Latisha Baird and husband Justin and children Grayson and Shelby, Autumn Corbin and husband Gerard and children Jennifer Allenwood and Jacob Allenwood and wife Maylee. She is also survived by numerous wonderful nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews. She was blessed with a large family who surrounded her with love until her very exit. Her brothers-in-law Alton Rollins, Lee Faulkingham and Rex Faulkingham also survive as well as her mother-in-law Helene Dunbar Kissinger and sister-in-law Jackie Dunbar Murch; two very special nieces, Gwen Colson Pawlowski and Marie Thompson Pottle, special great-nephew Donnie Thompson and son Tristan. Joan was predeceased by her late husband David Dunbar I in 1964, her late husband Fred Faulkingham in 2009, son David C. Dunbar II in 2012 and her seven siblings, Buster Thompson and wife Phyllis, Bobby Thompson and wife Eunice, Ruth Gross Tower and husband Dana, Emery Thompson and wife Edna, Francis Harford and husband Bill, Chandler Thompson and wife Althea and twin sister Jean Colson Woods Rollins and her late husband Robert Woods together with the painful loss of her mother, Ethel, and many nieces and nephews. Joan was proud to be the youngest and last living child of Gram Ethel. She was an incredible matriarch representing her family with a fierce independence, hard work ethic and sharp mind until the very end. Joan worked in many shoe factories around Belfast including Waldo Shoe, Truitt Brothers, Etonic and Viner Bros in Bangor. She attended Crosby High School and was in the Class of 1956. She worked hard alongside her twin sister, Jean, and niece Gwen to get their high school diplomas. She graduated from Husson College in 1988 with a business degree, walking with her late son-in-law, Blaine Middleswart attaining his nursing degree. Her final and most enjoyable work was with New England Clipping Service in Belfast who treated her like family. Her love of lighthouses and the ocean took her around the State exploring and frequently to the Searsport Wharf with her husband, Fred. She was an avid reader devouring every JD Robb novel. There will be a family graveside service at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 27 at Grove Cemetery, Belfast where she will join her late husbands, David and Fred. A celebration of Joan's life will follow at the First Congregational Church Vestry in Searsport at 3:30 p.m. Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home, Belfast.