Joan Dickinson Levinson

Joan Dickinson Levinson

Highlands, NC - Joan Dickinson Levinson of Highlands, N.C. died Monday Sept. 14 at the Fidelia Eckerd Living Center in Highlands. She was born in Terre Haute, IN. Preceded in death by her husband, Frank K. Levinson, Jr. and by her daughter, Jeanne L. Sheaffer.

She is survived by her daughter and son in law, Barbara and Bruce Werder, three grandchildren, Randolph William Werder, Orlando,FL, Stephanie Sheaffer, Las Vegas, NV and Steven Sheaffer, Denver, CO, and a great grandson, Chase R. Werder.

Joan received her Bachelor's degree from Principia College, Elsah, IL and went on to attend Mass. School of Design.She began her career as a furrier at Cherry's department store in New England. After her marriage, she moved several times before they moved to Clearwater, FL. Her husband was an avid Sailboat Racer and they bought a marina as well as started to design sails for the Snipe and Flying Dutchmen racing class. Joan went under the name of Levinson Sails and formed an all women sewing company and began making sails along with some sportswear that held up under heavy sea conditions. She became known as the only woman sail maker in the country and had many articles written about her skills.Levinson Sails won numerous national championships and soon they shipped sails all over the world.After her husband's death, she expanded her sportswear business under the name of Sail Loft Sport Fashions. Her patterns and designs translated into a showing in catalogs which included, Lands End, Eddie Bauer, Norm Thompson, Ships Wheel Fawcett Boat Works and The Sporting Life as well as exporting to Japan and Europe. She ran the marina with her two daughters as well.She was voted one of the Best Dressed Women in Clearwater and was a volunteer for 6 years with Clearwater Jazz Holiday.She was a member of the Belleair Rotary Club in FL as well as Highlands Rotary for over 26 years.After moving to Highlands, she opened an antique shop, Three Wishes in Cashiers, and she and her daughter owned and operated the 1891 Stewart House in Highlands. She was a member of the Christian Science Church. She belonged to the Bascom, Art League, and was Treasurer of the Mountain Garden Club of which she was a member for 17 years. In her life time she traveled to 24 differentcountries, but Highlands was her special place and she loved being in the mountains.Memorial service will be held at a later date.

Bryant Grant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences are available by visiting bryantgrantfuneralhome.com or by email.