BATH — Joan Melville Piltz Rives died Sunday, November 11, 2012 at Cadigan Lodge, the Highlands, Topsham.

She was born in Newport, Rhode Island on April 26, 1931, a daughter of George Hugo and Helen (Manuel) Piltz.

In her youth in Newport, she was an avid sailor and horseback rider. An alumna of St. Michael’s School and Rogers High School, where she was co-chair of the Social Committee three years running, she continued her education at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Joan left Smith after her freshman year to marry Lt. James Darden Rives, Jr. of Norfolk, Virginia, at a ceremony at Trinity Church in Newport on October 7, 1950. After being stationed in Panama, Washington D.C., Virginia, Indiana, California, Japan, and Rhode Island, Joan and Jim and their young family settled in Bath in 1963.

Joan continued her love of learning by reading constantly. She was an active member of the Bath-Brunswick book club for over forty years and was a volunteer at Bath’s Patten Free Library for over twenty. She also loved gardening and created beautiful perennial gardens at her homes in Bath and Bremen, Maine. Joan was a member of the Bath Garden Club and Bath Hospital Junior League.

Joan wholeheartedly devoted herself to her family and to her friends. Her ready smile, self-deprecating sense of humor, empathy for others and love of life gained her many wonderful friends wherever she went. Joan’s family and friends will miss her dearly.

Joan was predeceased by her husband, James D. Rives, Jr. in 2012 and by her sister, Barbara Piltz Matson of Newport, RI.

She is survived by her son, James D. Rives, III, of Exeter, NH; and her daughters, Katherine E. Rives of Bath, ME; and Lynn R. Gallant, of Manchester, ME; her brother, Peter M. Piltz of Middletown, RI. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Daniel A. Hupp, of Nobleboro, ME; Kate E. Hupp, of Winthrop, MA, Elizabeth S. Gallant, of Germantown, PA, Haley J. Gallant of Berlin, Germany; Gregory D. Rives of Exeter, NH; and by her great grandson, Julian D. Hupp, of Nobleboro, ME.

A Celebration of Life will be at 1 PM on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath. Memorial contributions may be made to the Patten Free Library, 33 Summer Street, Bath, 04530.

Arrangements are by the Daigle Funeral Home, 819 High Street, Bath. Condolences may be made online at www.Daigle- FuneralHome.com.