Joan Wason Hall, 85, of Bedford, NH, died August 5, 2012.

Born in Hingham, MA, in 1927, she was the daughter of George Fletcher and Mary (Plumer) Wason. Joan graduated from Milton’s Thayer Academy. After attending the Sargent School at Boston University and Bob Jones University, she earned a masters degree in special education from McMurray College. Joan taught in Central Illinois Public Schools for 40 years. She received the Southern Illinois University “Excellence in Teaching Award” as a junior high school science teacher in Virden.

She was a longtime member of Springfield Central Baptist Church.

Joan returned to the Northeast in 2002 and lived with family in Litchfield, NH. She also resided at Bentley Commons, Bedford, and most recently, at Bedford Hills Care and Rehabilitation.

She was predeceased by husbands, Eero “Whitey” Ruuttila, and John Hall as well as her son, Erick Ruuttila.

Family members include her son, Eero Ruuttila, his wife, Liana Eastman; daughter, Kim Eck, and grandchildren, Jesse Ruuttila , Erick Ruuttila, and Marcus and Daniel Eck.

Services: Calling hours will be held Friday from 4 to 7PM at the Connor-Healy Funeral Home, 537 Union Street, corner of Concord Street, Manchester, NH.

A memorial celebration will be held Friday evening at 6 PM.