Joan Peterson Matanle, 85, of Burlington, Vt., passed away peacefully on February 13, 2026, following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Born in Rutland, Vt., on August 7, 1940, to Austa (Myhre) and Henry Peterson, Joan grew up in Rutland surrounded by a large and loving family. She was a graduate of Rutland High School, class of 1958, and the University of Vermont School of Nursing, class of 1962. During her time at UVM, she met the love of her life, Jack Matanle, and they married on August 22, 1964, in Rutland.
Joan and Jack eventually settled in Springfield, Vt., where they raised their son and daughter. Joan worked for many years as a nurse and leader for the Visiting Nurses Association of Southern Vermont. Joan was also actively involved in many areas of the Springfield community, including the First Congregational Church, Springfield Hockey Boosters, Planned Parenthood and the Springfield Garden Club. Most importantly, Joan developed many lifelong friendships in Springfield that she maintained until her passing.
One of Joan’s greatest passions was being a grandmother to five grandsons. She loved each of them uniquely and enjoyed any opportunity to spend time with them.
Joan spent her final years as a resident of the Converse Home in Burlington, Vt., where she continued to be a friend to all.
Joan was predeceased by her parents and her husband, Jack. She is survived by her daughter, Kristin Venden, and husband Sean; her son, Craig Matanle, and wife Lisa; five grandsons, Jack Venden, Henry Venden, Blake Venden, Owen Matanle and Emmett Matanle, sister, Carole Young, and her husband, Alan; brother, Robert Peterson, and his wife, Wendy; brother-in-law, Clayton Stewart, and his wife, Gaby, and many loving nieces and nephews.
We will all miss Joan’s sense of humor, caring support, joy of simple pleasures (a bouquet of fresh flowers, a visit from a friend, an ice cream cone, time with family), and her gift of friendship.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. James Boyd and the entire team at the UVM Medical Center Department of Neurology for the compassionate care and support they provided to Joan over many years. The family would also like to thank the entire team at the Converse Home for the extraordinary care they provided to Joan while she was a resident there. It’s truly a special place.
A memorial service to celebrate Joan’s life will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, noon, at First Congregational Church, 38 South Winooski Ave., Burlington, VT. There is a drop-off area in front of the church and a public parking garage directly across the street. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Arrangements are in the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services. To send online condolences, please visit readyfuneral.com.