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1939 - 2021

BORN

1939

DIED

2021

Joan Francis Obituary

Joan Francis
Aug 30, 1939 - Jan 22, 2021. Joan Rose Francis, 81, fell asleep and awaits the return of Jesus Christ after a brief illness on January 22, 2021. She was surrounded by her loving family. Joan was born on August 30, 1939 in Queens, New York to John and Ann Kinsey.
She was a magnificent broad who devoured life! She was smart, funny, kind, larger than life and had the most amazing ability to love and give and serve without condition. She met the love of her life, Norman J. Francis, 60 years ago and they did it right. They had three children, Mark Francis (Mary), James Francis (Sandra) and Tish Gulick (Greg). They had seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, four nephews and three nieces.
After marrying Norman, an engineer, they moved to Huntington, CT. Joan became a teacher at St. Lawrence Catholic School. By the end of her career, she was teaching the children of students she had at the beginning of her career. She impacted the lives of generations of students as is evidenced, all these years later, by her vast collection of "world's greatest teacher" coffee mugs.
When the time came, she and Norman retired to Ocala, FL. Joan volunteered at the local library and as an advocate with the local children services organization. They traveled the world together and loved their family, friends and their God.
She is survived by her husband, sister Patricia O'hara, three children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Please, visit Legacy.com to share in her memory.

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Published by Connecticut Post on Jan. 27, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Joan Francis

29 Entries

Bob & Antoinette (Netty) Tworkowski

February 14, 2021

Joan & Jim were dear neighbors of my sister, Reg and her husband Pat...oh, those many years ago..so, sad to learn of her passing...She was truly a rare delight..funny...insightful..wise..caring..and full of vim and vigor..She will be sorely missed..our deepest sympathies to her loved ones..

Gail Carroll

February 5, 2021

Joan Francis was a friend from a Women's group. We shared much laughter and sorrows.
We also played Mahjonn together. Joan's life was well lived. May Jim and family be comforted by the Lord's love.
Gail Carroll

Patricia Reilly

February 3, 2021

Wonderful friend and full of life and fun. Loved her family and so proud of their successes. Joan and Jim were a dynamic couple. You knew they belonged to each other. God speed and may He bless their family at this difficult time. Love ya friend. Mousie

Chris Ambrosino

January 30, 2021

Mrs. Francis was my favorite teacher of all time, hands down. Her stories, her lessons, and her personality were inspirational to many. The world has lost a great person. Condolences to her family.

Jaryn, Rob, Robyn, Amber & RJ Travers

January 30, 2021

To the Francis Family,
When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Marie

January 30, 2021

Joan was a wonderful person. She was beautiful inside and out. She enjoyed life. May all the happy memories comfort her family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Susan St. Pierre

January 29, 2021

Mrs. Francis --- Her kindness, support and love of life will always be a fond memory to us. She was not only a respected teacher, but a friend. God grant her eternal peace. Our condolences to her family on your loss.
Susan St. Pierre, Jennifer, Marc, Dana and Jeff.

Chris Woods

January 29, 2021

Mrs. Francis was a wonderful woman & teacher with a spirit & love of life like no one I've ever known. She was the reason my oldest daughter became a teacher - all three daughters loved her dearly as did I. She will be greatly missed by so many.

Joanne. Talone

January 28, 2021

Mark,
So very sorry for your loss. May many fond memories help you through this difficult time.
Joanne Talone

Naomi

January 28, 2021

Students loved her stories and class trips to the beach to capture plankton... I was honored to serve on the faculty with her at SLS... God bless her and grant her peaceful rest

Leah Wilson Cybart

January 28, 2021

What a gift Mrs. Francis was to so many of us! I was lucky to have her as a teacher at St. Lawrence 37 years ago and I can still see her smiling face and hear her voice and laugher when I close my eyes. She is simply unforgettable and her memory will always make me smile! If I were in a group of old classmates, we would undoubtedly recall so many great memories of her in class and agree she was a favorite of all of ours. My condolences go out to her family and friends during this difficult time. Sending love your way...

Carol Ambrosino

January 28, 2021

My boys and I loved Mrs. Francis! She encouraged, she made them excited about learning and was the epitome of kind and loving teaching. We are thankful to have known her. Prayers for her and her family.
Carol Ambrosino and Christopher, Nicholas and Matthew

Kate A Williams

January 28, 2021

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I loved Joan. She was so fun to be around and such a wonderful mother, wife and grandmother. I was so fond of her and loved being in her company. I will never forget her kindness, lovely smile and giggly laugh. She was a great believer in God and I always thought she was a great example of unconditional love. With great fondness, I will await till the return to see her again.

Liz Buckley (Recce)

January 27, 2021

Mrs. Francis was my 5th grade teacher at St. Lawrence school. She was the best teacher and always made me feel like I was the best student. After I graduated and started high school, she was good friends with my parents and she always checked in on me. She always made me feel like I was her favorite even though she loved all her kids. I have thought about her so often and always wondered how she was doing. She will be misse but I know I was blessed to be able to say she was a part of who I am today.

Mary Kochiss Marshall

January 27, 2021

You were an absolute gem. You made me enjoy Geography and always kept us learning in such a fun way. Your memory will live on with so many who's lives you touched as a teacher.

Matt Kochiss

January 27, 2021

Mrs. Francis, The most memorable teacher I ever had with the greatest stories ever told. Transferring to a new school and not knowing anyone, she made me feel totally accepted and comfortable. She was always there for me and will always hold a special place in my memories and heart.

Naomi

January 27, 2021

Students loved Joan's stories...they tried so often to get her to keep telling more... Of course she knew their ulterior motive, but always found a way to keep their focus. My children loved her class trip to the beach by her house...
It was an honor to be part of the faculty with you Joan. Thank you for the joyful memories. May God grant you peaceful rest.

Naomi

January 27, 2021

Toni Delgado

January 27, 2021

You were the most inspirational teacher I ever had! And honestly probably one of the few who liked me! Lol! You made a hige impact on my life. Please continue to guide everyone as our guardian angel.

Christine Spodnick

January 27, 2021

Mrs. Francis was my favorite teacher from St. Lawrence. She was always so spirited and she really made learning fun. Deepest sympathy in your loss of an amazing person.

Jenny Ames

January 27, 2021

I was privileged to have Mrs. Francis as my 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Social Studies and 5th Grade Homeroom teacher at St. Lawrence School in Shelton. She was also my across the street neighbor on Sunrise Circle, and let me drop forgotten homework in her mailbox! Mrs. Francis nurtured my love of social studies and I wound up majoring in history in college. She had the ability to turn every topic into an engaging story, even for the most reluctant of students. To this day, I enjoy looking at maps, reading about world affairs, studying different cultures, and often recall every state and many world capitals during trivia contests. Thank you, Mrs. Francis, you will be forever appreciated and missed, and I will keep trying to engage and influence my students as powerfully as you did.

Bobbie Morgan

January 27, 2021

Deepest sympathy for the loss of such a wonderful loving woman.
Jerry and Bobbie Morgan

Toni Green

January 27, 2021

Tish, your a light of your mother. So sorry I didn't get to meet her in my backyard. Love and prayers for you and your family.

Michelle Osborne

January 27, 2021

Joan knew how to live life to its fullest, impacting everyone she met! I have been fortunate to know her for 31 years seeing her through her daughter's eyes of pure love every single day. She was a champion of all in her circle-and her circle grew every single day. A life so well lived for someone so well loved. My heart is broken for our earthly loss, but we know she is happy being with her Lord and Savior. Thank you, Joan, for sharing your light! I love you and will miss you always.

Michelle Lake

January 27, 2021

Tish, I regret not knowing your mom. I know she was wonderful because I know you! Much love sweet friend ❤