Joan Benham

Joan E. Benham (October 22, 1944 – April 14, 2026)

Joan E. Benham, of Easthampton, Massachusetts, formerly of Northampton, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on April 14, 2026, after a short but valiant battle with breast cancer.

Joan was the beloved daughter of the late Clarence and Ruth (Hudgins) and the sister of the late Carol Paciorek. She attended Smith College Day School, Northampton School for Girls, and Northampton High School.

In 1965, Joan moved to Easthampton with her husband, Ralph Benham, where they built a home and raised their family. She lived there for 55 years and took great joy in caring for her yard and home. Joan loved the beach, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Over the past 30 years, she also devoted herself to rescuing retired greyhound dogs, lovingly giving six of them a home.

She is survived by her daughter, Terri Benham Humphrey and her husband Jonathan of Scituate, MA; her son, Tom Benham and his wife Carol of Franklin, MA; and her cherished grandchildren: Allison Humphrey and her husband Nick Guzek of Brooklyn, NY; Jackson Humphrey of Brooklyn, NY; Cameron Benham of Washington, DC; Hayley Benham of Boston, MA; Leah Humphrey of Boston, MA; Avery Benham of Franklin, MA; and Emery Benham of

Franklin, MA. She also leaves many devoted friends and neighbors who will miss her dearly.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Orion Howard and his team at the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, as well as the Hospice and VNA caregivers, for their exceptional care, kindness, and compassion.

Calling hours will be held at Mitchell Funeral Home, 15 Park Street, Easthampton, MA on Thursday, April 23 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cooley Dickinson VNA and Hospice, Northampton, MA or Fast Friends Greyhound Adoption at helpinggreyhounds.org in Joan’s memory.

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