Joan F. Healy, 85, of Marion, died Sunday, April 21, 2019 at her home in Marion with her family by her side. She was the wife of the late Richard L. Healy. They were happily married for over forty years and she never stopped missing or loving him.
Born in Lowell, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Julia (Murphy) Mullen. She graduated from Lowell State Teacher’s College, now UMass Lowell, and received her M.Ed. from Boston College. Joan taught elementary education in various towns in the Greater Boston area, The Loft School in Marion and retired from the Bourne Public School system. She also taught overseas in Japan on an American military base where she realized her love of sushi, Ikebana and Sogetsu floral design.
Joan was a former member of the Kittansett Club where she loved to play golf with her friends, the Beverly Yacht Club where she “raced” her Bull’s Eye and enjoyed time with Rich on the Curmudgeon as well as the Piney Point Beach Club where she looked forward to Tuesday night dinners. Joan loved floral design and was a member of both the Marion and the Wareham Garden Clubs. She was a National Flower Show Judge, a member of Judges Council and the Design Study Group. She could also be found playing Bridge with various group of friends whenever asked. She loved to travel – the planning in advance of her trip, the trip itself and the reminiscing after. There are many wonderful memories from adventures with Rich, with Clare and with friends.
With a passion for books and libraries, in the 1980’s it was her great honor to serve as the board president of the Elizabeth Taber Library when two wings were added to provide much needed stack space. She and Rich were long time committee members of the Marion to Bermuda Race through which they made many friends and discovered a deep love of Bermuda. They returned again and again. Joan served as a board member for Community Nurse Home Care and, in return, the Community Nurse team took exceptional care of her over the years.
Deep gratitude and eternal appreciation go to three special women who comprised “Team Joan.” With love and laughter Cathy, Becky and Rita made it possible for Joan to enjoy her home until the end. When they first met they were caregivers, they become friends and will forever be considered family.
She is survived by her daughter, Clare Healy Foley, who loves her more than words can express and her husband Paul of Marion. She leaves behind a much beloved Springer Spaniel “Lola”. She is also survived by an inspiring group of family and friends who made life worth living until the last breath.
Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at St. Anthony’s Church, Barstow St., Mattapoisett at 11 am. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Community Nurse Home Care, 62 Center St., Fairhaven, MA 02719 OR the Elizabeth Taber Library, 8 Spring St., Marion, MA 02738 OR Friends of the Marion COA, P.O. Box 937, Marion, MA 02738. If a donation is not your thing, please read a book, arrange some flowers or tell a friend how much they mean to you; all fitting tributes to Joan.
Arrangements by Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham. For directions or to leave a message of condolence, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com
