Joan M Beaudry

Joan Marie (Garvey) Beaudry – July 18, 1934 – January 12, 2023 Joan was born in Springfield Massachusetts on July 18, 1934 to Francis Patrick and Viola Angelina (Skurka) Garvey. Joan was raised in Chicopee, MA, living on Hampden Street with her parents, sister and brother. Joan attended Holy Name of Jesus Grammar School and High School and was a student of the Sisters of Notre Dame for twelve years. Joan was an honor student throughout her 12 years while attending Holy Name and graduated with High Honors as the Salutatorian of the Graduating Class of 1952. While attending high school, at the age of 16, she was hired by the City Clerk of Chicopee and worked as an assistant clerk after school during her junior and senior years. She continued to work for the City Clerk as his secretary for many years following graduation from high School. The City Clerk oversaw all local elections and as Joan assisted, she got a taste of local politics and became familiar with local and statewide government. In 1959, Joan met her Sweetheart and the love of her life, Donald Beaudry. It wasn’t too long before they were married, settled in West Springfield and started a family. With the birth of their first child, Joan decided that it was time to take a break from work (for a while) and become a full-time Mom. Over the course of their marriage, as loving parents, Joan and Don raised three wonderful children, Joanne, Donald and James. During the summer months, Joan and Don and the kids enjoyed their time in Otis on the Lake having fun and making many new friends over the years. As the years went on and their children were all in school, Joan decided that it was time to go back to work. She enjoyed working with children and was fortunate to find a position as a part-time secretary at a small non-profit school in Chicopee called the “Chicopee Child Development Center” (CCDC). At that time, in 1972, the school was only two years old and there were about 20 children and five employees. Initially, classes were held at Faith United Methodist Church on Montcalm Street in Chicopee but with increased attendance, the school was running out of room and would soon need to find new quarters. As Joan became more involved in the day to day activities of the school, she discovered that Westover (Air Reserve Base) was dispersing buildings on the base and felt that the base preschool and base chapel could be converted into the new home of CCDC. So, over the course of a few years, tireless effort, tons of paperwork along with help from local politicians including Congressman Ed Boland and Senator Ted Kennedy, the CCDC had a new home. As Joan continued her new “career” at CCDC, she continued her efforts in improving the quality of education at the school and applied for numerous grants to repair and replace the facility equipment, including new roofs, boiler and numerous other projects. Joan was not hesitant to ask for volunteers to help with the various projects at the facility as well. As Joan continued to take on new responsibilities at the school over the years, she was promoted to the Business Director. Joan loved her work at CDCC especially working with the children and teachers. Joan remained actively employed at CDCC for over forty-seven (47) years before retiring as the Business Director in 2021 and was instrumental in contributing to the success of the CCDC. When Joan left, there were 55 students and ten teachers. Joan loved to have fun, she enjoyed traveling, taking an occasional cruise with friends or an occasional trip to Florida with family. Over the years, she enjoyed many short trips to shows and events with her long-time friend and neighbor Nora. Upon returning, she would always have a story to tell about something funny that happened along the way. Joan especially liked and looked forward to spending time with her family in York Maine during the summer. She loved Long-Sands Beach and all the sights, sounds that went along with it including the ice cream shops, restaurants and Nubble Light. It was a favorite spot to relax. It is an under-statement to say that Joan was a life-long, dedicated Red-Sox fan. She became indoctrinated at a very young age. Joan’s grandfather lived across the street from Joan and as a young girl she would sit on the front porch with Grampa John as he listened to every Red Sox game on a small green radio. Joan became fascinated with the sport, she knew all the players names, positions, batting averages, etc. Not only for the Red Sox but other teams as well. She fell in love with the Red Sox and followed the Red Sox with a passion for the rest of her life. Joan was a wonderful person, very thoughtful, very considerate, always optimistic and enjoyable to be with. Joan will be missed dearly by all who knew her, whether through work, friendship or family and in our hearts, she will always be our Angel. Joan’s beloved husband, Donald died in 1982. She leaves her loving children, Joanne Beaudry (Kevin) of West Springfield, Donald Jr. (Laura) of Belmont and James M. of West Springfield, her beloved brother, Jack F. Garvey (Helen, his loving grandchildren, Joe Beaudry (Kelcy) and Nicki Beaudry and her loving great granddaughter Juliette Beaudry. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her sister, Claire E. Graves. The funeral will be held Thursday 11AM at St. Thomas Church with a calling hour from 9:30-10:30AM from the Toomey-O’Brien Funeral Home 1043 Westfield St. West Springfield. Burial will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery.