Joan Marie Lauler

Old Lyme - Joan Marie (O'Connor) Lauler, born May 21, 1930, in Worcester, Mass., daughter of Thomas J. and Ann (Colleran) O'Connor and widow of Dr. David P. Lauler, is survived by daughters, Karen Lauler Hopkins and her husband, Richard, of Califon, N.J., and Maureen Lauler of Old Lyme; a son, John Lauler of Niantic; a brother, Dr. Thomas J. O'Connor Jr. and his wife, Dorothy, of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and grandchildren, Paul, Andrew, Sarah, David, and Caroline. She is also survived by a brother-in-law, Edward A. Hjerpe Jr., sisters-in-law, Edith Berrena and Kathleen Lauler; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a daughter, Colleen, a granddaughter, Marie, and her sister, Nancy O'Connor Hjerpe.

Joan graduated from Classical High School and Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Worcester, Mass., then went on receive her BSN from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. She was a registered nurse at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, Georgetown University Hospital, and The Hospice of Branford CT.

She was married in June 1957 to Dr. David P. Lauler.

She was a Dame of Malta, served as chairman of the Annual White Mass founded by her husband and Most Reverend Daniel Reilly, former Bishop of The Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich Connecticut. She gave unstintingly of her time and effort to help others, going to New Orleans to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, volunteering at St. Matthias Church, and going to Lourdes to care for the sick. Aside from her generous gift of self, many will remember Joan for her love of tennis.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008, at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Norwich. Interment will follow in Duck River Cemetery in Old Lyme. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, in Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Beckwith Lane, Old Lyme CT 06371.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Missionaries of Charity, 335 East 145th St., Bronx NY 10451.