Joan Dobens

1925 - 2022

Joan Prince Dobens, 97, of Nashua NH, passed away peacefully after a brief illness at the Merrimack Hospice House on October 27, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on March 1, 1925, in Manchester NH, daughter of the late Albert and Delima (Bernaquez) Prince. She was one of fourteen children.

Joan was the loving wife of William L. Dobens who passed away on June 23, 2015, and now joins him in eternal peace.

Joan graduated from Nashua High class of 1944. During her high school years, she worked the evening shift in the Nashua Mills to help support their large family. Upon graduation, she went on to the former Nashua Business School and Rivier College. For over 30 years, Joan worked at the former Indian Head National Bank as a head teller.

In 1946, Joan married her high school sweetheart and shared over 70 wonderful years of marriage. Together they tackled life's challenges. Some adjectives that described Joan were strong, loving, generous, feisty, and independent. Her faith in God guided her through life. Joan would say, "The inn is always open", and "Enjoy life and do not worry about me".

She was an avid New England sports fan, especially enjoying the Patriots and Red Sox. Her grandchildren's sports teams always found her cheering on the sidelines or in the bleachers. Her biggest thrill was playing shuffleboard in Florida and receiving many trophies for her play.

Joan was also a member of the Senior Activity Center and participated in their yearly shows as a tap dancer. In her spare time, she enjoyed knitting, embroidery, reading, puzzles, exercising, and cooking.

Upon retirement, she enjoyed her winter home in Florida and her summer home at Hampton Beach. Joan and Bill enjoyed traveling and were fortunate enough to have visited many countries. Her favorite was Germany, the birthplace of her ancestors.

Joan is survived by her sons James Dobens and his wife Marie, William Dobens, Jr and his wife Christine; daughters Deborah Howard and Kathleen Dobens; grandchildren Dr. Sheri Eng and her husband Nathan, Brett Dobens and his wife Laura, Jamie "Janice" Vogel and her husband Calvin, Elizabeth Bentley and her husband Brian, Sarah Wax and her husband James, Steven Grenier, Christine Daisy, and Garrett Howard; great Grandchildren: Cody, Riley, Lilly, Henry, Mark, Justin, Charlotte, Fletcher, Marguerite, Isabella, Cameron, Allen, Summer, and Theodore; sisters Pauline Lamothe of Springfield Mass, Jackie Faucher and her husband Louis of Londonderry, NH, and Sis(Cecile) Lane of Nashua; brothers, George, Paul and his wife Helen, Maurice and his wife Patsy and Peter and his wife Carol; along with many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters Gabrielle Kinney, and Carmelle Christie and brothers Louis, Marcel, Albert, and Robert.

"Goodbye everyone and see you all in Heaven"

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am on Thursday, November 3 at St. Aloysius of Gonzaga Parish located at 48 W. Hollis St., Nashua, NH with burial to immediately follow at St. Louis Cemetery located at 752 W. Hollis St., Nashua, NH.

In lieu of flowers, Donations can be made in Joan Dobens name to the Community Hospice House 210 Naticook Road Merrimack NH 03054.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ZisSweeneyFuneralHome.com