Joan A. Edge-Armstrong

Joan A. Edge-Armstrong, 92, of Warwick, passed away on March 9 at Saint Elizabeth Home. She was the wife of the late Kenneth K. Edge and Robert S. Armstrong.

Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Frank E. Place, Jr. and Greta (Kerr) Place. Joan partnered with her mother in Clar-Mar Millinery, Inc., the custom hat company founded by her grandmother Clara and aunt Marie in the 1940s. After relocating the business to Warwick, she ran the shop with dedication, designing and creating hats while serving every customer who entered. As demand for custom millinery declined, she kept the business vibrant by offering ladies’ alterations, men’s tailoring, and finishing hand-knit sweaters and needlepoint. She lovingly operated Clar-Mar until closing it at age 75 in 2008 to focus on her art.

Blessed with a lifelong passion for artistic expression, Joan painted and drew from an early age. She studied oil painting in the 1960s, attended Rhode Island School of Design classes in figure drawing, and later studied watercolor under accomplished artist Carol Berren. A member of the East Greenwich Art Club, Wickford Art Association, and Conanicut Island Art Association, she exhibited her work in numerous juried shows including the RI Open, Wickford Art Association Open, Conanicut Island Art Association, East Greenwich Art Club, and Spring Bull Gallery exhibitions, where she received several awards. Her paintings are held in private collections.

She is survived by her sons, Kenneth K. Edge, Jr. (Beverly) of Foster and Bret L. Edge (Keri-Lynn) of Warwick; her daughter, April A. Leonard (Dave) of Jamestown; her brother, Gary L. Place of Richmond; her sister, M’liss Place-Sloan of Warren; her grandchildren, Taylor, Crystal, Sara, Emily, and Victoria; and her great-grandchildren, Clara, Elyse, Adeline, Isaac, and Eli.