Joan A. SURABIAN

SURABIAN, Joan A. (Bacos) Of Winchester, passed away peacefully, on October 23, 2025. Beloved wife for 58 years to the late Robert H. Surabian. Loving mother of Donna Richmond, Dr. George and his wife, Lisa, Robert, Michael and his wife, Karen and John and his wife, Diana. Adored grandmother of Michael, Andrea and her partner, Michael Steffany and Greg Richmond, Emily Surabian McCarthy and her husband, Liam McCarthy, Mary and Michael Surabian, Nicole Surabian and Samantha Federico, Nina and Zachary Surabian, Erica and Courtney Surabian and Jordyn and Kailyn Nobrega. Great-grandmother of Miles Richmond Steffany. Dear sister of Dr. Chris Bacos and his late wife, Lorraine and Deborah Tumas and her husband, Paul. Sister-in-law of Ronald Surabian and his wife, Freya. Joan will also be missed by many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Joan grew up in Lowell, Massachusetts, where her parents owned a pharmacy in the city's thriving Greek community. As a child, she took yodeling lessons - an early sign of the playful spirit that stayed with her all her life. From a young age, she was a natural protector, chasing off any bullies who dared bother her younger siblings. In high school, she served as a Girl Officer Captain, already showing the leadership and grit that would define her life. Her trademark determination led her to apply to the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, where she became the only woman in her class. She carried herself with unmistakable confidence and authority - so much so that a police officer once ended up apologizing to her after pulling her over for speeding. Joan had a knack for spotting small things that made life better, and she delighted in sharing them. One year she discovered a clever clear umbrella she thought was pure genius and promptly bought one for everyone in the family. She was fiercely loyal and deeply devoted to her loved ones. She had a seemingly endless collection of go-to phrases -"Grandma-isms," as the family calls them - that everyone still repeats to this day. She loved a good bargain, a raspberry lime rickey, and the simple joy of feeling the sun on her face.

Visiting Hours will be held at the Lane Funeral Home, 760 Main St., (Rte. 38), WINCHESTER, on Sunday, November 2, from 2-5pm. A Funeral Service will be held at the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 70 Montvale Ave., Woburn, on Monday, November 3, at 10am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan's memory may be made to League School of Autism, 300 Providence Turnpike, Walpole, MA 02032.