Joan Bickford Neal
AUBURN – Joan Bickford Neal, 91, a well-known obstetrics nurse, died Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022.
Born June 24, 1930 in Lewiston, she was the daughter of Maurice B. Bickford and Libby Footer Bickford. In 1948, she graduated from Lewiston High School, and in 1952 from the School of Nursing of Central Maine General (CMG) Hospital, now known as Central Maine Medical Center.
She received her B.A. from the University of Maine, Orono and her M.Ed. from the University of Maine, Portland/Gorham. She was a member of the faculty of CMG/CMMC School of Nursing where she taught nursing for 25 years before retiring in 1995.
She was an active member of several community organizations throughout her lifelong residence in Lewiston/Auburn: the CMMC School of Nursing Alumni Association, the Board of Trustees of the CMMC School of Nursing, the Advisory Council of St. Mary’s Health Steps Program at Bates College, and the Lewiston/Auburn Senior College. She joined the tai chi classes at Health Steps and was an ardent practitioner of tai chi for 15 years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Auburn.
She was married in 1952 to John H. Neal, and in 1986 to Richard F. Hammond.
Surviving are her two sons, John H. Neal, II of Greene and Peter W. Neal and wife Dara of Minot; Richard’s son, Robert Hammond and wife Becky of Arizona; grandchildren Leslie Neal Mersch, Allison Neal, Jacob Neal, and Prapasiri “Prim” Sribanchuen; her sister, Sharon Murphy Sargent of Sarasota, Fla., her brother, James P. Murphy of Minneapolis, Minn.; her dear friends Winnie McMorrow of Mechanic Falls and Brenda Neal of Gray; great-grandchildren Jaxon Gove, Layla Mersch, and Addy and Oliver Neal; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
She was predeceased by her infant daughter, Susan Joan; husbands John Neal and Richard Hammond; her mother, Libby Murphy and stepfather Joseph Murphy, her father, Maurice Bickford and stepmother Ruth Bickford; her brothers F. Michael Murphy and Rev. Joseph J. Murphy; her daughter-in-law, Robin Taylor Neal; and her dear cousins Lester Bickford and David Footer.
She was a gifted teacher and a compassionate nurse who touched many lives in Lewiston/Auburn. Besides teaching and nursing, Joan enjoyed long walks at Popham Beach and happy times with family and friends.
At Joan’s request, there will be no memorial or burial services.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in her memory to
CMG/CMMC School
of Nursing Alumni Association
70 Middle St.
Lewiston, ME 04240
Joan Bickford Neal