Joan M Spellane

Joan “Joannie” Marie Spellane, of Harwich Port, formerly of Worcester passed away peacefully on the morning of Thursday October 24, 2024 after a battle with cancer. She was 70 years old. 

Born fourth of 6 children to the late Philip and Patricia (Lane) Spellane, she was a graduate of Burncoat Senior High School in Worcester class of 1972. Inspired by her father’s extensive career in education, Joan pursued the vocation herself earning her Bachelor of Arts in Special Education from Fitchburg State University in 1976. She later earned her Master of Arts in Education from Worcester State University. 

Joan taught in the Worcester public school system for 36 years in the Special Education Department until her retirement in 2012. She began her career teaching both students with learning differences and students with disabilities. She transitioned from the traditional classroom setting to one-on-one tutoring later in her career at several of Worcester’s high schools. She was passionate about being an educator and about the students she taught. 

Outside of the classroom Joan loved to travel and did so as often as she could. Alaska, Iceland, Ireland and Italy were among her favorite destinations, but she enjoyed short distance trips with friends to New York City and the casinos of Atlantic City, NJ. It was her wanderlust that brought her to Cape Cod, as well. In the summer of 1988, she found herself at an open house while renting a cottage with friends “and the next thing I know, I’ve bought the place” as she would later recall.

Though rooted in central Massachusetts, the lure of sandy beaches, salt air and the sea drew Joan to make her home in Harwich Port in her retirement. It was here she hosted countless weekend getaways for many friends and family members and in her spare time she could be found behind a pottery wheel in Chatham, walking one of her favorite beaches or gardening in her back yard. 

Joan leaves behind her five siblings: her sister Anne Margaret of Worcester, her brother Philip and his wife AnnMarie of Worcester, her brother William and his wife Libby of Marshfield, her sister Patricia O’Neil and her husband Stephen of South Yarmouth and her brother Paul and his wife Laura of Worcester, 11 nieces and nephews and 13 grandnieces and grand nephews. She was pre-deceased by her parents; Patricia in 2005 and Philip in 2009. 

Friends and relatives are invited to gather for calling hours, Tuesday, October 29th from 4 pm to 7 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. Worcester. Her funeral will be held Wednesday, October 30th from the funeral home with a procession to St George Church, 36 Brattle Street where her celebration of Christian burial Mass will be held at 11:00 am. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations can be made to Elder Care Services of Cape Cod Meals on Wheels 68 MA-134 South Dennis 02660.