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BORN
1951
DIED
2016
Joan Callaghan Obituary
Joan was the beloved wife of Mark Callaghan and the proud mother of her son, Samuel Hughes. Joan was born April 9, 1951, at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Kittery, Maine, to George A. and Carolyn M. Wood. In addition to Mark and Sam, Joan is survived by her three brothers, Larry Wood of Wallingford, Stephen Wood of New York City and Waterford and Charles Wood of Savannah, Ga.
Joan's early years were spent in Key West, Fla. and Niantic with her parents and brothers. Joan worked for what is now known as the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services at the Seaside Center in Waterford. Later, Joan worked with intellectual and developmental disabilities, most notably at Seacorp and The Arc. Joan felt that she had her greatest accomplishments there. Joan was known as a hard worker with a strong passion for her chosen profession. She had a great many friends, many of them co-workers. Joan cared deeply about her friends and family. Unfortunately, Joan suffered from severe osteoarthritis, which eventually caused her to stop working. Joan was special to all she met, and made each person special as well. This loss will be difficult to heal, but we can take comfort in having known such a vivid, accomplished, loving and strong woman, a rarity in any generation but a credit to the women who preceded her.
Joan and Mark moved to Englewood, Fla. in 2015. They were enjoying life down there immensely. An automobile accident caused an injury which was not diagnosed promptly and this lead to her untimely death.
A memorial service has been scheduled for 11 a.m. July 2, 2016, at the Harkness Amphitheater at Harkness State Park, 275 Great Neck Road, Waterford. Harkness State Park was one of Joan's favorite places.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joan Callaghan
June 5, 2016
Joan - having a hard time here expressing my words - but you always had a talent in knowing what had to be said - what all was on our minds - you were a person that helped me to grow - still have moments of reflection over some of our conversations - may you new rest in peace in the arms of our Heavenly Father . . . blessings to your family
Artemese Jones
May 4, 2016
Joan will always be fondly remembered. I am saddened to hear of her passing. I share in your loss. Please know that I am praying for all of the family. May the special bond of love you shared with Joan be a source of comfort to you in due season.
Artemese Jones
Megan (Turner) Ball
May 4, 2016
Sending love to Joan's family and friends and remembering a special and remarkable woman. It was an honor to know you, Joan. Rest in peace.
April 30, 2016
Wishing you peace,
In sympathy
Betty and Joe Zoubek
Toni
April 30, 2016
I'm so sorry I fsiled to mention my condolences to the spouses and children of Joan's biological family and also to her other extended families, especially Tommy. May you be in peace now Joan. Our paths may have now parted but it's only till we meet again.
Pat Schlick
April 30, 2016
Dear Mark, Sam and Joan's family,
I was so sorry to hear Joan is gone. We recently reconnected after more than 30 years and the day we talked on the phone it was like we had worked together just yesterday at Seaside. We laughed so hard remembering good times. So glad I had the privilege of knowing her.
Toni Means
April 29, 2016
My condolences to Sam, Mark, Charles, Larry and Steve, and also to Joan's God daughter, my daughter Stephanie. Joan was my best friend and soul sister for 37 years. She was my daughter's God mother and was Auntie to Thomas, Michael and William. Her love for them was immeasurable and the bond she made with Michael rocking and singing to him while he fought for his life in the NICU as a newborn will never be broken whether she is on this earth or not. The hours she spent rocking her God daughter as a baby was only broken by Stephanie's great grandmother wanting a turn. Joan would finally give up from the hovering and hand her over to Gram, but only then to wait for her next turn. I will never forget our Seaside days and the many many nights we would wait out on the sea wall for Mark to come out so we could start our bonfires on the beach. Life was so simple back then. Living with Joan and Mark for a while was also a time I'll never forget. Going out for breakfast and sitting in our "Lillian" chairs, singing and dancing till the break of dawn, doing the sway to the Scratch Band, having the times of our lives and laughing until we cried. Crying in each other's arms in hard or sad times. Talking on the phone for hours or just watching TV together over the phone for hours. Just sitting on your couch for hours, no talk needed. Who do i call now my dear friend to tell of the "good" stories? Who do I call now my dearest friend to cry in their arms because I am lost without you here? Till we meet again please stay close to us and give me a little sign every now and then, just like you've been doing with Stephanie. You were right my sister, you won this time. Keep one of your angel eyes over the beach for a broken heart/SB in the sand. It will be from me I love and miss you.
Lynne Miner
April 29, 2016
Always loved, forever remembered.
Tom Sullivan
April 29, 2016
A very sad passing of a wonderful woman. Our "Joan of Arc" had a big heart and was loved by many of the people she supported over her career at Seaside and The Arc of New London County. She never met a stranger and was a friend to all. Rest in Peace Joanie...
Colleen Tretter
April 29, 2016
Thinking of your family and sending my condolences and peaceful thoughts.
Thomas Bonanno
April 29, 2016
My Deepest Condolences to Joan's Immediate family, Mark, Sam, Larry, Steve and Charles........she Loved you All More than you'll ever know..Luckily Enough, I was part of Joan's " EXTENDED FAMILY " . which consisted of Her Lifelong friends, other good friends and coworkers who she considered part of her Life and Her Family.....Joan had time for everyone ! A friendly , Kind Voice on the other end of the phone, a shoulder to cry on and someone to celebrate with when your Sons Grow up into Men....We often joked how Maureen and I Moved so Many times in our relationships and of Course Joan was there To Help with every Move and Keep us Calm....She truly was an Angel...! Her gifts of Homemade Wreaths etc made with shells always was displayed prominently in our Living Room....! Joan It's So Hard to say Goodbye......But I Will....and I wish you all the Peace and Jubilation Heaven has to give...Rest In Peace My dear friend..We will always Hold you in Our Hearts.......Tommy, Maureen, Adam and Timothy .....
Sue (Jakobot) and Bill Cash
April 29, 2016
We were fortunate to have been able to spend time with Joan these last 6 months in Florida. She was a remarkable person with so much love for everyone. Sending our prayers and deepest sympathy to Sam and Mark and her brothers Steve, Larry and Charles and all of her family. There is truly another bright star in heaven.
Paula Tedesco
April 29, 2016
Dear Joan...You were a friend to all. Everyone went to Joan with their problems. She was the wise one.The years I worked at Seaside were the happiest days of my life.My coworkers were my best friends.We had each others backs. I remember you all dressed McGEE and brought her to my wedding. And when my dad died you all came and helped.And how you took good care of Darlene.Well my friend, I sure will miss you .RIP love Paula
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