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Tryon– Joan Elizabeth Macintyre Dove of Tryon, NC passed away at age 90 after a full, free-spirited, and brave life. Joan was born March 5, 1932, in Camden NJ, the daughter of Robert Earl Macintyre and Leah Genevieve Knaebel Macintyre.  She was raised in Mamaroneck and New Rochelle NY and she lived in Arizona, California, and North Carolina, and died here in the foothills at Upstate Community Hospice, on January 20, 2023.  She is survived by her son Jeffery Sargent, daughter Jana Sloan (Paul), grandson Justin Haynes (Vanessa Royston), and great-grandchildren Logan, Skye, and Jade. She was predeceased by her husband Jerry Dove and sister Adele Stafford. Joan was loved for her optimism and bright personality and is missed by many friends and art students. She was a member of Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Tryon NC, and also attended Jacksons Grove United Methodist Church, Landrum SC. She was a member of Goodwin Hounds and Green Creek Hounds.

Joan was a prolific artist painting almost daily throughout her lifetime. Her training in art began at New Rochelle High School which had an entire wing dedicated to art programs.   She sold her first painting at age 16 and traded paintings for almost everything, rent, riding lessons, tack, and puppies. The best time of her life was spent on Catalina Island from 1956-60 where she worked for the Wrigley family. She was a crack shot with a 22 rifle, enjoyed flying in 2-seater planes, and traveling. She rode Morgans and Arabs and had her own Thoroughbred racehorses. Joan loved horse racing and watched it on TV every day at tracks around the world. Joan also rode and drove American Saddlebreds, drove ponies, and was a member of the California Carriage Association.  She drove her antique governess cart and welsh pony, Phoebe, around Arcadia California.

Joan specialized in painting horses, dogs, and other animals. She admired and painted in the style of Alfred Munnings.  She attended Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Phoenix School of Art, and numerous workshops. Joan is a former Associate member of the American Academy of Equine Art. Her paintings have been published in The Thoroughbred of California; Chronicle of the Horse; Western Horseman, Horse Illustrated, and Equine Images, as featured articles and covers.  Clients include the late George Getty III, Jacqueline Getty, PK Wrigley, Howard Koch, Telly Savalas, and many European and American horseracing enthusiasts. A biographical article about Joan was published in “Life in Our Foothills” in April 2017. She is well known locally for creating artwork for posters advertising five Blockhouse Steeplechase races.

A celebration of Joan Macintyre Dove’s amazing life will take place at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Tryon NC on February 18, 2023, at 11 am. A reception will follow in the church hall.

Janet Cummings
Columbus, NC