Joan Muriel (Dutra) Russell died on May 29, 2025 at Seashore Point Wellness Center in Provincetown after a long, courageous fight against cancer. Having survived squamous cell cancer and then colon cancer more than a decade ago, she was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in November 2023. She was 84.

Joan, the only child of the late John and Isabelle (Weed) Dutra, was born in “The Ivanhoe,” a cottage at 78 Shore Road in North Truro on April 5, 1941. She attended the Provincetown Schools, graduating from Provincetown High School in 1959. Joan worked at the Dairy King in North Truro and then went on to be a mother and homemaker for many years. Returning to work, she held several positions including police matron and assistant to the parking administrator for the town of Provincetown.

Joan spent her last 15 years living at the Northside Village Senior Apartments in Dennis. Her hobbies and interests included “cards with the girls,” but her favorite was being a grandmother.

Joan is survived by her children, Russell Dutra of Provincetown, Lorne Russell and wife Linda of Newport, N.H., Lorial Russell of Chatham, and Jared Russell of Barrington, N.H.; a daughter-in-law, Sheva Russell-Browne of North Truro; her granddaughter, Kaitlyn Russell of Newport, N.H.; her godchild, Jodi Ann Costa of Provincetown; and her cat, Zoe. She also leaves several nieces and nephews, multiple cousins, and some wonderful friends who helped greatly in her last year fighting her illness.

She was predeceased by a daughter-in-law, Jennifer Russell.

A graveside ceremony for Joan will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 16 at the family plot in Sacred Heart Cemetery on Bridge Road in Truro. It will be followed by a celebration of her life at noon at St. Mary of the Harbor Episcopal Church, 517 Commercial St. in Provincetown.