Joan Kenny Mattes

Joan (Kenny) Mattes passed away peacefully at Avery Heights on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. She was the widow of Donald R. Mattes. Born January 7, 1931 in Hartford, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Margaret (Calano) Kenny. She resided in West Hartford for 53 years before moving to Avery Heights in 2015. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, and aunt - family meant everything to Joan. She leaves her daughters Margaret Monroe, Anne Chapin, Jean Donatelli and her husband Tony, and Claire Crane and her husband John; as well as seven grandchildren Christopher Monroe, Anthony Donatelli and his wife Isabella, Stephanie Donatelli, Lily Donatelli and her fiancé Joseph Calafiore, Colby Chapin and his wife Samantha, Patrick Crane and his wife Lizzie, and Collin Crane and his fiancé Alison Lachapelle; along with great-grandchildren Saylor Chapin and Teresa Donatelli; and several nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by her sister Cynthia Kenny. She was predeceased by her sister Mary Ellen Munzell and her two son-in-laws Jim Monroe and Charlie Chapin.
Joan was a graduate of Bulkeley High School, Class of 1948 Salutatorian, and very active with the Reunion Committee. Over the years she worked at the Connecticut Valley Girl Scout Council, Connecticut Printers, Saint Joseph College and The Travelers. She was an avid sports fan watching any kind of sporting event she could find on her tv but she especially loved her NY Yankees, Hartford Whalers (she was a part of the I91 club and a season ticket holder) and of course her beloved UConn Women's Basketball team where she was fortunate enough to attend many Final Fours. She enjoyed knitting, reading, crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles.
In her ordinary way, she loved her grandchildren in amazing fashion spending her time representing as their biggest fan at every concert, recital, and athletic event - whether they were near or far or in sunshine or rain. She also sent hand written letters to each grandchild every week while they were in college.
The family would like to thank all the staff at Avery Heights who lovingly cared for Joan the past nine years.
Funeral services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, if anyone wishes to honor Joan, she would have wanted donations to the Christopher Monroe Supplemental Needs Trust 23 Crambrook Rd New City NY 10956-4701. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com