Joan Nancy (Kallio) Grassi, 72, of Carver, died peacefully January 23, 2016 at Lifecare Center in Plymouth. Joan was a lifelong resident of Carver born to the Toivo and Elizabeth (Tavernelli) Kallio. She was predeceased by her husband, Edward N. Grassi, and her sister Diane (Kallio) Halunen. She was loving sister to Robert Kallio of Carver, and Shirley (Kallio) Kuhn of Concord, NH. Joan was beloved mother to Stephen Grassi of Carver, Brian Grassi and his wife Michelle of Plymouth, Edward B. Grassi of Carver, Diana Maloney and her partner Andy Flynn of Concord, NC, and Donna Reed and her husband Jeffrey of Carver. She was also stepmother to Sharen (Wood) Lee and her husband Edward of Staten Island, NY. Joan was cherished grandmother to Kylie Grassi, Joie Grassi, Shana Lee, Samuel Reed, Cody Grassi, Tyler Wood, Nicole Grassi, Corey Reed, Jaimie Reed, Kayla Maloney, Jessica Maloney, Tammy Wood, and the late Edward Lee. Joan was also the loving Aunt to many nieces and nephews, from both the Kallio family and the family of her late husband Edward.
In recent years Joan was a homemaker and was especially devoted to her children and grandchildren. She had limited mobility but always kept her sharp wit and mind and loved to do puzzles such as sudoku, crosswords, and word searches and enjoyed watching competitive game shows. Joan grew up on the Kallio cranberry bog homestead in Carver and her first job was working on the cranberry harvests. After getting married and starting a family she worked during the cranberry season at Ocean Spray and the for many years as a home health aid for Catholic Charities. She also devoted much of her life to taking care of her severely handicapped son, Stephen, for whom she advocated tirelessly to make sure he was provided with the services that he required. Joan will always be remembered by the nickname “Go Go” as before ill health and breathing difficulties slowed her down, she was always on the go, working, taking care of home and family, and trying to make it to as many of her grandchildren activities as possible. She was also an active member of the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of Plymouth for many years and served as their secretary.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, January 28th from 4-8:00 PM at the Shepherd Funeral Home, 116 Main St (Rt. 58) Carver. A funeral service will be held at Shepherd Funeral Home on Friday, January 29th at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at the Union Cemetery in Carver. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of Joan’s favorite charities, such as the Salvation Army of Plymouth, American Lung Association, or the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.