Chris Nagle

September 6, 2025

This year I swim in memory of my mom, Joan. Joan passed peacefully this July, 91 years young, with family by her side.

More than anything, Joan loved and created community around movement. Joan spent her childhood and her career in water - playing, coaching, and teaching. Soon after settling on the Outer Cape in 2000 for half of each year, Joan found the Swim For Life, and it soon became her focus each summer. Well into her 80s, Joan swam the 1.4 miles from Long Point lighthouse to the Boatslip with hundreds of other swimmers, raising money for the many health services organizations on the Outer Cape. In 2019 she introduced the fresh water alternative in Wellfleet's Gull Pond. In the Swim For Life she found tremendous joy, compassion for cause, and extraordinary community.

In recent years, Joan also focused on the message and mission of the Lily House, a home for those in need of complete and compassionate end of life care. Never afraid to discuss the sacredness of the death process, including her own, Joan fully embraced the objectives of the Lily House. Under the dream and direction of Dawn Walsh, this home in Wellfleet will continue to provide the space, love, and care needed for residents to die with dignity.

I send my heartfelt thanks to all of you supporting my swim, in Joan's honor, to help raise funds and awareness for the Lily House and many Outer Cape health services. Like Joan, our friend and teacher and mom to many, may we live fully and die gracefully.

With deep admiration, gratitude, and love,

Chris