Joan E. Badger

Joan E. (Metzger) Badger, 84, passed away on January 12th at Baystate Medical Center due to complications related to dementia. She was born in Lynn, MA on June 25, 1939, to the late Nathalie (Whitten) and Alan F. Metzger. Many of her formative years were spent in New London, CT before the family moved to North Kingstown, RI in 1950. She graduated from Lincoln School in Providence in 1957, and from Bates College in 1961, where she majored in biology. After college, Joan worked in a research laboratory at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston for two years.

It was at Bates, where Joan met the love of her life, Jerry Badger. The two were married in 1963 and settled in Wilbraham, where they lived for the remainder of their lives. They were married for 59 years until Jerry’s passing in 2022.

Joan was a talented artist who sold her oil paintings and other crafts for many years. She loved flowers and dedicated many hours to caring for her beautiful gardens. Joan also enjoyed a lifelong passion for the water and for boats. She and Jerry vacationed in Maine for more than 50 years - first at their cottage on Goose Rocks Beach, and later at their second home on the Belgrade Lakes. After Jerry retired, the two also traveled, taking trips with dear friends to Europe and Hawaii.

Joan was thoroughly devoted to her family and spent years raising her two children. Later, she cherished spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She taught them to love life, be silly and care for others. Joan was also a fabulous cook and baker who relished the chance to host a meal and open her home for family, friends, and even strangers.

She is survived by her two children: Lynn Logsdon (and her husband Scott), and Doug Badger (and his wife Marybeth); four grandchildren: Kendall Logsdon, Andrew Logsdon (and his partner Catie Dill), Spencer Badger and Davis Badger; and four great-grandchildren: Aryanna Pellerin, Ellyanna Pellerin, Savanna Logsdon and Maverick Logsdon.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 20th, from 11:00 am – 12:00 Noon at the WILBRAHAM FUNERAL HOME, 2551 Boston Road, Wilbraham. A private burial will take place at Woodland Dell Cemetery in Wilbraham at a later date. Donations in Joan’s name may be made to the Jerry and Joan Badger Memorial Scholarship, c/o Minnechaug Regional High School, 621 Main Street, Wilbraham, MA 01095. For more information, please visit www.wilbrahamfuneralhome.com .