Joan M. Granger

Joan M. Granger

February 09, 1933~September 10, 2021

Joan M. Granger, 88, of New Port Richey, Florida passed away peacefully with family by her side on September 10, 2021.  Joan was born February 9, 1933, daughter of the late John and Grace Shea of West Springfield MA.  She was the youngest of four children with one brother who passed when she was 12 years old in WWII the late John Shea, and her two older sisters the late Helen Massey, and the late Grace McCannon.  She was the wife of the late Jerrold A. Granger and mother of deceased son Charles (Chip) Granger.  She is survived by her children and their spouses, Christopher & Beverly Granger, John & Nancy Granger, Sandra and Alton (Skip) Grant, Jerrold & the late Helene Granger, Elaina & the late Jack O’Brien.  She leaves six grandchildren, Leeann Granger and wife Erin Granger, Michael Grant and significant other Tess Jankins, Jennifer Granger Sullivan and husband Benjamin Sullivan, Lindsay Theriaque and husband Allan Theriaque, John Granger and significant other Forest Felter, Jillian Vidanova and husband Sergio Vidanova, and nine great-grandchildren, Sandra, Gio, Charlie and Evelyn Vidanova, Taytum and Parker Theriaque, Ashlyn and Colin Granger and one on the way. Joan Granger was married to Jerrold Granger for 64 years.  Together they brought up six children in West Springfield and Agawam MA.  Once the younger three children were of school age, Joan went to work for John Hancock Insurance Company as an administrator, where she retired soon after Jerry while working in their Holyoke office for over 20 years.  Joan and Jerry enjoyed vacationing with their family and friends yearly on Lake Winnipesauke in NH.  They eventually bought property on the lake enjoying it for many years into their retirement.  Next, they began visiting and renting in the Naples area of Florida and eventually bought a place there selling the lake property. They lived as “snowbirds” for some years and went back in forth from FL and MA.  Eventually they lived full time in Naples to enjoy a long retirement together.  Joan became very active in her Florida community.  She was a member of the community’s board of directors where she was elected their secretary, she assisted a local realtor with preparing and selling homes in her community and she was very active in all the social events and functions within her community.  At times it felt as if she worked just as hard retired as she did when she was employed.  Mother enjoyed working with others and got along with everyone who ever met her.  She was super well liked and was a friend to many. Joan was a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt and brought happiness and laughter to those around her.  Joan was a strong positive force in all her children’s lives.  She was someone who could be confided in, would advise, and support their choices.  She was someone that they could go to with just about any issue. She would often remark that she tried to be a great mother to all of us in her own special way!  She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. The funeral will be Friday, March 18, 2022 at 10 am at the West Springfield Curran Jones Funeral Home, 109 Main Street. The burial will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Springfield. Calling hours will be on Friday from 9-10am. For online condolences, please visit www.curranjones.com