ATKINSON, NH – Joan A. (McNaughton) L’Italien, 83, of Atkinson, NH passed away peacefully on Monday, April 21, 2014 at the home of her daughter in Methuen with her loving family by her side.
Born in Lawrence, she was the daughter of William and Ruth (Howe) McNaughton. Joan was educated in Lawrence schools and graduated St. Mary’s High School Class of 1948. After her high school education she taught second grade at St. Mary’s Grammar School, and worked at the Lawrence Public Library until attending college, receiving her associate’s degree from Merrimack College in North Andover Class of 1958. After completing her college education, Joan returned to work at the library until she had her first child and stayed home to raise her family.
Joan had such a love for children that in 1975 she began her work with the Methuen Public Schools, starting at Methuen High School as a library assistant and retiring from the CGS Grammar School in 1995. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Joan had a wonderful singing voice and lent her talents to MHS Dollars for Scholars. Joan had a great sense of humor and was also known for her joke telling. She never missed her children’s sporting events and music recitals. She loved hosting at the holidays, was an avid reader, and enjoyed taking trips to Foxwoods.
The widow of Raymond R. L’Italien, Joan is survived by her five daughters, Jean Hunt and her husband Daniel of North Carolina, Judi Lawrence and her husband Mark of Florida, Marie Mack and her husband Jamie of Vermont, Debbi Daigle and her husband Wayne of Salem, NH, and JoAnn O’Shea and her husband John of Methuen, MA.
She is also survived by her sister Ruth McNaughton and her brother, the Most Reverend William J. McNaughton, M.M.; ten adoring grandchildren, Rachael, Ryan, Brett, Lindsay, Caitlin, Kelly, Patrick, Laura, Brendan and Megan; sisters-in-law, Patricia McNaughton and Claire L’Italien; and her brother-in-law, Richard L’Italien. She was also a loving aunt to several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Mary Devine and her brother Jack McNaughton.
ARRANGEMENTS: Memorials can be made to Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, P.O. Box 304 Maryknoll, NY 10545. Visiting hours for family and friends will be Friday from 4:00p.m. – 8:00p.m. at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, Inc., 233 Lawrence Street Methuen, MA 01844. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 11:00a.m. in Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish/St. Augustine Chapel in Lawrence. Burial will follow in the Elmwood Cemetery in Methuen, MA. For directions or to send online condolences please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com
The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to assist the L’Italien Family with the arrangements.