Joan Marcia Kirby, 88, died peacefully on Monday, January 10th, 2022, at the Webster Park Health Care Center in Rockland MA. She was the beloved wife of 25 years to the late Bernard "Bernie" Kirby.
Born in 1933 and raised in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late Delia Almeida. Older sister to the late Richard Quinn of Long Island, N.Y. and Robert Quinn of Tempe, AZ.
Joan's life was filled with a full house of children she shared with her first husband the late Shirley Russo.
She is survived by her sons Nicholas from Quincy, Dana and wife Karen from Cumberland, Rhode Island, Steven and wife Lenette of East Bridgewater, her daughters Sharon and husband Richard Howland of Hanson, Lori and husband Pete Rasmussen of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Karen Russo of Hanson. Also survived by her 19 grandchildren and growing numbers of great grandchildren and her loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her best friend and "sister-in-law" June Sampson.
Along with being a devoted mother she enjoyed a long career in the food and catering business. She began in her 30’s at the Ridder ice cream stand, and then continued on to a very successful career as an event planner at the Ridder Country Club.
Joan also enjoyed trips to the Maine coast with her husband and the beauty of the New England coastlines.
In her retirement years she mastered the art of quilting, knitting, crossword puzzles and homestyle cooking.
Her family has chosen to have a private service to honor Joan.