HANOVER – Joan “Jo” Everett, 77, died unexpectedly Sunday, Dec. 16, at her home in Hanover.

She was born at home in Auburn, Aug. 11, 1930, to Hazel and Albert Rawstron. Jo was a 1949 graduate of Edward Little High School in Auburn.

She was above all else a loving and dedicated wife, mother, and homemaker for more than 50 years. She married Charles R. Everett, also of Auburn, in 1951. They moved to the Rumford area in 1952, when he accepted an accounting position at the paper mill, where she also worked for a period of time. She designed the home that they built in Hanover, and lived there the rest of her life.

She was an active member of the Rumford Point Congregational Church, UCC. Working behind the scenes, her devotion to the health and success of the church was obvious to all. She was the financial secretary and served in several capacities including participation on the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, Church Council, Ladies Aid and the Nominating Committee.

She has been active in the town of Hanover serving as a ballot clerk and rarely missed a town meeting. She volunteered at the town library throughout the years and was instrumental in its preservation and in the recent move to its new location. She demonstrated a great love for animals and actively supported the local animal adoption agency with regular donations of food and funds. She recently became known as the town cat and dog sitter.

She never missed a family function and came to touch lives spanning multiple generations. She was forever an optimist and her involvement always brought positive energy to those around her. Staying in close touch with family and friends was important to her. She was the perfect hostess and was the happiest when she could help serve those close to her.

During her school days at Edward Little, she was involved in the music and marching-band programs as a drummer and played drums for the Portland Junior Symphony Orchestra. She later worked hard to keep her graduating class connected throughout nearly 60 years of successful reunions.

She is survived by her four children, Peter of Rumford, Susan of Rumford, Katherine of Mexico and David and his wife, Jennifer, of Dover, N.H.; and two sisters, Virginia Wilding of Sabattus and Priscilla Rawstron of Auburn.

She was predeceased by her newborn son, Michael; her brother, Victor; and her husband of 50 years, Charles.