Joan Ann Follett

Joan Ann Follett, age 85, passed away on Friday, September 06, 2024. Born in Norwood, Massachusetts on January 20, 1939, she was the daughter of John J. and Mary A. (Dorrigan) Arena. Joan was raised in East Walpole, Massachusetts along with her six siblings, including her twin brother Jack. 

After her graduation from Walpole High School with the class of 1957, Joan began working at Diamond Match. One of her duties with the company required her to make frequent visits to the post office, which is where she met a mail clerk named Bob that swept her off her feet. Joan married the love of her life, Robert E. Follett, on September 10, 1960, at Saint Mary's Church in East Walpole. 

The newlyweds made their married home in South Walpole, and in January of 1963, Joan and Bob welcomed their first child. Now a wife and mother, Joan transitioned into the role of a home maker, welcoming two more children in the coming years. Joan spent many days tending to her growing children and her household. She was often found mending worn clothes, preparing lunch for the next day, and ironing her husband’s uniforms. Joan enjoyed the work she did around her home, so much so that she began a small side business offering her ironing services to neighbors and friends, many of whom gladly employed her.

To Joan, her family was her world. She had a close bond with her siblings throughout her life and loved to visit with them as often as she could. Joan was a devoted wife and mother, who took pride in her children and their accomplishments. Life was forever changed when Joan became a grandmother, and later GG. 

In her free time, Joan loved to spend time with her family. She often travelled with Bob or her brother Jack to visit friends and family across the country. Some of Joan's favorite vacation destinations were Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Reno, and Atlantic City, because they always included time at the casinos. Joan loved to try her hand at winning big, whether it was while on vacation or closer to home at Foxwoods. She enjoyed relaxing while playing penny slots and sharing a laugh with her sisters or friends. Her favorite game though was BINGO, always prepared with daubber in hand and ready to proclaim herself this rounds winner. Joan was a member of the Walpole Grange and loved to go to dances at the ELKS lodge in North Attleborough with her husband. Joan loved to dance and appreciated music of all kinds from big band to country to disco and even was fond of Dr. Dre. At home Joan enjoyed grabbing a maple walnut ice cream from Crescent Ridge with her family or jazzing her home up for the seasons. She loved to decorate for the holidays, even dressing herself up to match the theme. Joan enjoyed a life of simplicity, asking for little, while giving so much and making sure everyone knew they were loved. 

Beloved wife of the late Robert E. Follett

Loving mother of Brenda L. Hackley, and her husband Paul, of Norton, Robert G. Follett, and his wife Cindyanne, of North Attleborough, and the late Randy S. Follett, and his surviving wife Suzanne, of Swansea

Cherished Nana, Grammie, and GG.

Sister of Ellen N. Farrell, and her husband Thomas, of Norwood, Ethel L. Fenstermacher, and her husband Ned, of Marlborough, and the late D. James Arena, Mary Kwiatkowski, Frances Park, and John J. Arena Jr.

Also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and extended family members and friends.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Joan's Life Celebration on Thursday, September 12, 2024 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

A Funeral home service will be held on Friday, September 13, 2024, at 10:00 am in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joan's name may be made to the Massachusetts General Hospital Movement Disorders Division to support local Parkinson's disease research at 125 Nashua Street Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114 or by visiting https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate?is_designation=1&designation=Movement%20Disorders%20Division&re_appeal=1602MGMGXXMD