Joan A. (Levin) Ecklein, a longtime member and leader of Massachusetts Peace Action, passed away Sunday, April 3, 2022 at the age of 86. She was a Professor of Sociology, University of Massachusetts and author. She was an expert on community organization.
She co-founded Women’s Strike for Peace, opposing the Vietnam War and nuclear weapons, in 1961, and was later co-co-president of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), Boston Chapter, which has brought together women from around the world who are united in working for peace by non-violent means and promoting political, economic and social justice for all. She led a Raging Grannies’ protest activity by knitting a net around an Army tank. She was a member of MAPA’s Nuclear Disarmament Working Group.
A longtime resident of West Newton, she was the loving mother of Ingrid Ecklein and grandmother of Avery, both of 
Newton. She also leaves her brother Sid Levin of Acton; as well as three nephews, Aaron, Sam, and Matthew. Joan was born in Washington, D.C., daughter of the late Isadore Levin, M.D. and Miriam (Kaplan) Levin. Joan received her Ph.D. from Harvard University in Sociology. Her degree was conferred in 1964 with a dissertation entitled, “Social Status Ambiguity and Residential Relocation.” Joan taught at Brandeis University, Boston State College, and subsequently worked for many years at UMASS Boston as a Professor of Sociology.
Services for Joan were held privately.
A Memorial Service will be held at the First Unitarian Universalist Society, 1326 Washington St., West Newton, on Saturday, May 21st at 1 p.m. www.actonfuneralhome.com
