Joan E. Stack

Joan E. (Abbe) Stack, 95, of Springfield, passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2024, surrounded by loving family. Joan was born in Springfield on April 19, 1929, the daughter of the late Ralph and Elizabeth (Steele) Abbe.
Joan had a lifelong love of music that was sparked in childhood when, during the Depression, her parents arranged for piano lessons. As a teenager, she discovered her passion for singing when piano lessons evolved to voice lessons with Ruth Ekberg. Over the years, Joan became a prominent local soprano soloist. Throughout her professional career, Joan sung in the choirs of many Springfield area churches and was sought-after soloist for local weddings and celebrations of life. In addition to many public performances, she was a Past-President of the Tuesday Morning Music Club, and served in other officer roles for the organization. Joan greatly appreciated her many life-long friends at the TMMC.
When Joan retired from professional singing, it was piano to which she returned. Leading sing-alongs at local nursing homes and a chorus during her years at Providence Place, she loved to share her talents and love of music. When she no longer sang in church choirs, she led a childrens chorus at the former First Park Memorial Baptist Church in Forest Park, Springfield to share her faith and love of music.
Whether kayaking on a lake in Maine, Sunday afternoon drives for candy in a convertible Corvette, scary rides through the Arizona desert on a quad, or a quiet walk on Moody Beach at sunset, Joan valued time with her children, grand-children and great grand-children. She loved 4th of July pig roasts with extended family, a good game of Scrabble with a chocolate bar and rides through the New England countryside on a Sunday afternoon. In the last years of her life, she truly appreciated the many visits of special friends Beverly Ratte and her niece, Janet Szemela. Joan loved her family and friends, music and chocolate.
In addition to her parents, she was also predeceased by her husband Harry M. Stack, a daughter Carol Ann Granger, a brother Donald Abbe and a sister Ruth Hodge. Joan is survived by three devoted children: Paul D. Stack and his wife Sandy of Mesa, AZ., Brian D. Stack and his wife Kristine of East Longmeadow and Marsha J. Clark and her husband Gregory of Springfield, and she leaves seven cherished grandchildren: Nicole Cooper and her husband Chris, Jennifer Margaron and her husband William, Stephanie Shepardson and her husband Chad, Jonathan Stack, Mary Stack and her husband Matt Continisio, Anne Amaral and her husband Bryan and Gavin Clark. She also leaves six great-grandchildren Cayden, Cody, Ethan, Nicolette, Brooklyn and Brayden. Calling hours will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, from 9am-11am at the Byron Keenan Funeral Home and Cremation Tribute Center, 1858 Allen Street, Springfield, followed by a Celebration of Life at 11a.m. at Byron Keenan. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tuesday Morning Music Club, Springfield, MA.
Services
Calling Hours
Saturday
January 11, 2025
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Byron Keenan Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center
1858 Allen Street
Springfield, MA 01118
Celebration of Life
Saturday
January 11, 2025
11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Byron Keenan Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center
1858 Allen Street
Springfield, MA 01118
Private Burial
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