Joan Vagan

   Joan Catherine Wells Vagan, who lived on Norfolk Drive in Springs for 20 years, died at home on Monday of complications of Alzheimer’s disease. She was 78.

    She was born in Brooklyn on Jan. 1, 1933, one of five children of the former Frances Golden and George Wells. She is survived by her sister, Eileen Wells Tublin of Brooklyn. She was close to her brother-in-law, Mel Tublin, and her niece Pamela Tublin Cook of Brooklyn, who was like a daughter to her. She is survived by many other nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

    Mrs. Vagan grew up in Brooklyn and graduated from Dominican Catholic High School there. She married Joseph Vagan in June 1953; he survives. The couple used to visit Mrs. Vagan’s sister and her family, who have been coming to East Hampton for 40 years. When Mr. Vagan retired, they built their house in the Clearwater Beach section of Springs.

    Mrs. Vagan kept a beautiful garden, her sister said, and was a member of the Nature Conservancy and the Ladies Village Improvement Society. She was on the L.V.I.S. nature trail committee and also helped look after the swans on Town Pond. Mrs. Tublin said that she worked at the Springs Fisherman’s Fair for a number of years.

    Mrs. Vagan was cremated. A Mass will be said today at 11 a.m. at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in East Hampton, where she taught Sunday school, followed by internment of ashes at Calverton National Cemetery. Memorial donations have been suggested to any Alzheimer’s disease charity.