Joan Marie O'Connor Lauler

Joan Marie O'Connor Lauler, born May 21, 1930 in Worcester, MA, daughter of Thomas J. and Ann Colleran O'Connor; wife of Dr. David P. Lauler who predeceased her; survived by daughter, Karen Lauler Hopkins and her husband Richard of Califon, NJ; daughter, Maureen Lauler of Old Lyme, CT; son, John Lauler of Niantic, CT; brother Dr. Thomas J. O'Connor, Jr. and his wife Dorothy of West Palm Beach, FL. Grandchildren; Paul, Andrew, Sarah, David and Caroline. She was predeceased by daughter Colleen, granddaughter Marie and sister Nancy O'Connor Hjerpe. She is also survived by brother-in-law Edward A. Hjerpe Jr.; sisters-in-law Edith Berrena, Kathleen Lauler and many nieces and nephews.

Joan graduated from Classical High School and Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Worcester, then went on to receive her BSN from Georgetown University, Washington DC. She was a registered nurse at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, Georgetown University Hospital and The Hospice of Branford CT.

She was married in June 1957 to Dr. David P. Lauler. She was a Dame of Malta, served as Chairman of the Annual White Mass founded by her husband and Most Reverend Daniel Reilly, former Bishop of The Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich Connecticut. She gave unstintingly of her time and effort to help others - going to New Orleans to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, volunteering at Saint Matthias Church, and going to Lourdes to care for the sick. Aside from her generous gift of self, many will remember Joan for her love of tennis.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Patrick's Cathedral in Norwich, CT. Interment will follow in Duck River Cemetery in Old Lyme, CT.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. in Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Beckwith Ln., Old Lyme, CT.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Missionaries of Charity, 335 East 145th Street, Bronx, NY 10451.