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Newton, NH: Joan I. (Eckhardt) Lightizer, 88, a resident of Newton, died peacefully on March 10, 2022, at Celebration Hospital in Kissimmee, Florida, with her family by her side.

Born, raised and educated in Belmont, Massachusetts, daughter of the late Charles and Freida (Wegramph) Eckhardt, she graduated from Belmont High School. She was the longtime and well-loved teacher at the Teddy Bear Nursery School in Newton, a job that she enjoyed for thirty-nine years until her retirement in 2006. She was a member of the Friends of the Gale Library and the Library Craft Club.

A winter-time resident of Clermont, Florida since 1988, Mrs. Lightizer was able to spend her final days at her winter home that she enjoyed for so many years with her late husband Robert, who predeceased her in 2010, after fifty-eight years of marriage.

An avid reader, Mrs. Lightizer enjoyed knitting, quilting, embroidering, crocheting, and gardening as well as her daily cup of coffee at Heavenly Donuts in Plaistow. For many years she enjoyed her summer home on Province Lake until 2007.

She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by sons and daughters-in-law, William E. and Kelly Lightizer of Newton, Mark D. Lightizer of Newton, and Jeffrey S. and Becky Lightizer of East Wakefield; eight grandchildren, William R. Lightizer and his wife Windee of Exeter, Nicole J. Morton of Newton, Robert J. Lightizer and his wife Katelyn of Newton, Amy C. Chaisson and her husband Mike of Newton, Elizabeth A. Lightizer of Newton, Scot A. Lightizer and his wife Jasmine of Windham, Jacob T. Lightizer and his girlfriend Kelsey Bourque of Barrington, and Matthew P. Lightizer and his wife Samantha of Newton; eight great-grandchildren, Leeann, Mac, Molly, Jennifer, Abi, Annelies, Owen, and Emma; several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her husband Robert, she was predeceased by her grandson, Michael Lightizer in 2001 and her brother, Charles W. Eckhardt.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Mrs. Lightizer's Life Celebration to be held on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main Street, Plaistow. Her funeral service will follow at 7:15 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be held in the spring in Highland Cemetery, Newton.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Friends of the Gale Library, 16 South Main St., Newton, NH. To send a message of condolence to the family or to share a precious memory, please visit: www.brooksidechapelfh.com .