Elizabeth Joan Winter (Joan) 91 of Freedom Drive, Montpelier died at Mayo Nursing home on Saturday, July 31, 2010. Joan was born in 1919 in NYC daughter of J. Thornton Mac Donald, Jr. and Mae Edna O'Neil MacDonald. She lived her early life in Greenwich, Conn. and New York City where she married Lieutenant JG, Proctor Winter, USCG during WWII. When Proctor returned from the service, they moved to Port Washington and then Roslyn Estates, NY where she lived until his death in 1973. Joan followed her daughter Judy to Vermont the same year living first in Middlesex Village and then in Montpelier. Joan had a great sense of humor and always "dressed like a lady". Her demeanor could fool people into believing she was a stuffed shirt but just get her laughing and you'd know who you were dealing with. She worked at Kids Clothes in Waitsfield in the 70's and early 80's then retired. In Montpelier, she was a regular on State and Main Streets befriending shopkeepers and having coffee and a sweet with friends. Joan had a way of collecting friends from all walks of life though she never cared to participate in clubs or organizations. Many felt she was their "best friend". She was schooled at Eden Hall, Pa., Convent of the Sacred Heart 91st Street NYC, Manhattanville College and Parson's School of Design where she studied dressmaking. Known for her beautiful handwriting and her long, long newsy letters (a lost art)… as far as she was concerned there was always a reason to write a personal note. Joan is survived by, three daughters: Judith (Mrs. John) Phelon, Elizabeth (Mrs. Gregory) McCarthy, Ann Winter and, her brother Douglas E. MacDonald and his wife Marybeth, two son's in law, John Phelon and Gregory McCarthy, four grand children Christopher Fabiano, Matthew Fabiano, Jonathan McCarthy, Christine McCarthy, three great grandchildren: Matthew and Addison McCarthy and Andrea Bais. She was predeceased by her husband Proctor Winter, her brother John T. MacDonald and her grandson, Proctor Phelon. Calling hours will be held Monday evening, August 2nd, from 6-8 pm at Guare & Sons Funeral Home, 30 School Street, Montpelier. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am , Tuesday at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 16 Barre Street, Montpelier. Burial will be private at Warren Village Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice, Inc., 600 Grange Road, Barre, VT 05641. Those wishing to send on-line condolences may do so at www.guareandsons.com and go to Joan's obituary.