Obit: Joan Pelton released from life-15 Feb 2012

Subject: Joan Pelton finally released from life?
From: elfcape
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 07:35 PM

I have heard that Joan finally was set free. Anybody got dates, hard news, connections to someone to send condolences?

Subject: RE: Joan Pelton finally released from life?
From: michaelr
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 07:29 PM

Who?

Subject: RE: Joan Pelton finally released from life?
From: elfcape
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 08:03 PM

Joan ran Alcazar records for 10s of years.

Subject: RE: Joan Pelton finally released from life?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 08:39 PM

http://audiography.livejournal.com/893563.html

Subject: RE: Joan Pelton finally released from life?
From: michaelr
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 09:31 PM

Sorry, Bruce - I don't see any mention of Joan on the page you linked to?

Subject: RE: Joan Pelton finally released from life?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 09:37 PM

'"The Hammered Dulcimer" was a revelation for me - I'd never heard anything like it before. The original line-up was Bill on hammered dulcimer, Tom McCreesh on fiddle, Jon Pederson on banjo, and Joan Pelton (who would go on to found Alcazar Records) on piano.'

Hi, Michael. Fifth paragraph down.

Tell you this though: she's hard to find on the i'net, imo.

Subject: RE: Joan Pelton finally released from life?
From: Jeri
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 09:48 PM

The last time I talked to her was around 20 years ago. If George Ward were around, he'd probably know, but I sure haven't heard anything.

Subject: RE: Joan Pelton finally released from life?
From: georgeward
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 12:32 AM

Jeri, I don't know. I'll ask around.

Subject: RE: Joan Pelton finally released from life?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 03:05 AM

for those of us who do not know her what are you talking about ?

Dave H

Subject: RE: Joan Pelton finally released from life?
From: Jeri
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 08:29 AM

In a Facebook page for the Old Songs Festival, one person, answering another person's query said that still another person (Joan was his wife's aunt) posted the notice of her death in a Yahoo group that I can't access.

Joan was very active in the capitol city area of New York State, and probably further out than that. If you don't know who she was, news of her death probably won't matter to you, but George may post some more information.

Fox Hollow Festival, Circa 1969-- Joan is the woman with the guitar, center stage behind the mic. (About 16 seconds in)

Subject: RE: Joan Pelton finally released from life?
From: Mary Katherine
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 08:49 AM

I will try to find the note referred to and repost it here - she died on her 80th birthday, and was the founder of Alcazar records, are two points I remember from what I read.

Subject: RE: Joan Pelton finally released from life?
From: Cool Beans
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 11:12 AM

Her late brother Ben Mason was a dear friend of mine. The family is from Waterbury, Vermont, and the library there may have info about survivors.

Subject: RE: Joan Pelton finally released from life?
From: open mike
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 12:24 PM

Ben's obit here...
https://www.amherst.edu/aboutamherst/magazine/in_memory/1962/bamason

Subject: RE: Joan Pelton finally released from life?
From: Cool Beans
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 01:06 PM

Thanks for that, Laurel. I'd never read it before. I met Ben in 1968 when I was a new reporter at the Providence Journal. I met Joan a few years later and my band once shared a bill with hers.

Subject: RE: Joan Pelton finally released from life?
From: GUEST,Aaron Pelton
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 05:03 PM

Joan did indeed pass Wednesday morning, Feb. 15, 2012 at 8:15AM EST. We're working on her obituary now.
Aaron (Joan's youngest)

Subject: RE: Joan Pelton finally released from life?
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 05:08 PM

Thanks, Aaron. You have my condolences.

Subject: RE: Joan Pelton finally released from life?
From: elfcape
Date: 20 Feb 12 - 01:10 AM

So glad to hear from the family. Please let us know what celebrations you might have planned so we can figure out how to attend.

Subject: RE: Obit: Joan Pelton released from life-15 Feb 2012
From: GUEST,George Frampton
Date: 20 Feb 12 - 08:08 AM

My condolences.
I first heard 'Hammered Dulcimer' in Ian (fRoots) Anderson and Maggie Holland's flat in Farnham about 30 years ago, and was blown away!
Rest in peace!

Subject: RE: Obit: Joan Pelton released from life-15 Feb 2012
From: kendall
Date: 20 Feb 12 - 08:33 AM

RIP Joan, we will never meet at the Thirsty Whale Tavern again.

Subject: RE: Obit: Joan Pelton released from life-15 Feb 2012
From: Jack Campin
Date: 20 Feb 12 - 08:56 AM

Thought I asked this already, but my post hasn't appeared. What does the phrase "released from life" imply? - I've never seen it before. Is it associated with some specific religious group?

Subject: RE: Obit: Joan Pelton released from life-15 Feb 2012
From: GUEST,Jesse Pelton
Date: 20 Feb 12 - 10:53 AM

We're planning a memorial service at the Waterbury (Vermont) Congregational Church in June. We'll let you know when we settle on a date.

I'm not sure the phrase "released from life" is associated with any particular group, but it's consistent with the idea found in many religions that life on earth is in some way burdensome or constrained compared with some other state of being or non-being. (Consider, for example, "I'll Fly Away," performed by Gillian Welch among many others.) Mom lived with a progressive dementia for many years, and though I don't think she suffered much as her life wound down, if (as she believed) there is a soul or other persistent life energy, it's undoubtedly freer for having left her worn body.

Subject: RE: Obit: Joan Pelton released from life-15 Feb 2012
From: Jack Campin
Date: 20 Feb 12 - 11:27 AM

Thanks Jesse, I didn't know that and it makes sense.

Subject: RE: Obit: Joan Pelton released from life-15 Feb 2012
From: GUEST,999
Date: 20 Feb 12 - 05:02 PM

Condolences to all your family, Jesse.

Subject: RE: Obit: Joan Pelton released from life-15 Feb 2012
From: kendall
Date: 21 Feb 12 - 08:30 AM

My old dog was in pain, unable to rise without making it worse. All he did was lie around, unable to romp and even go for a walk. We had him put down, and as the needle was doing it job I held his head and told him that we were setting him free.I hope he understood. That was last July and even writing this is very painful.

I don't mean to hijack the thread, just trying to explain what being freed from life is all about. Joan and Seamus now rest in peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Joan Pelton released from life-15 Feb 2012
From: GUEST,Jesse Pelton
Date: 28 Feb 12 - 09:21 PM

I've posted Joan's obituary, which includes information about the memorial service.

Subject: RE: Obit: Joan Pelton released from life-15 Feb 2012
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Mar 14 - 10:43 AM

I worked for Joan , Silo Alcazar for approx. 6 yrs...
I am grateful.
We'll hang and jam in heaven Joan...
God Bless you..
Lisa 'Sez' Szczesny...

Subject: RE: Obit: Joan Pelton released from life-15 Feb 2012
From: GUEST,Andy Leader
Date: 16 Mar 14 - 02:09 PM

I knew Joan both before and after her catastrophic stroke about 15 years ago. Alcazar was located in Waterbury, Vermont, and Joan was an important promoter of traditional music. Her son is a gifted musician in his own right and was playing professionally in Vermont several years ago. My wife, Janet and I, performed songs at the nursing home in Morrisville, VT where Joan was a resident. She didn't talk at that point but seemed appreciative.