Joan S. Callahan, daughter of James Leo Sexton and Mary Dunlavey Sexton, was born in Boston, MA on January 28, 1934, and passed away on June 3, 2024, at the age of 90.
Joan was raised in Boston and Lowell, and graduated from the Academy of Notre Dame in Tyngsborough, MA in 1951. After high school, Joan attended the Boston College School of Nursing, where she served as President of the Student Government and graduated in 1955. She was formerly married to Dr. William J. Callahan and raised six children in Andover, MA. In her younger years, Joan worked at Cappy's Copper Kettle and Powers Wine Company, which had been owned and operated by her family. She greatly enjoyed connecting with her Boston College classmates.
Joan is survived by six children and their families: Linda Callahan (Willowe), Sean Callahan (Piyali), Colin Callahan, Kevin Callahan (Kathi), Dylan Callahan (Marie-France), and Caitlin Gallaudet (Eli); twelve grandchildren, Kelly Callahan Gorgol (Matt), Sahana Callahan, Sam Gallaudet, Ryan Callahan, Will Callahan, Jed Gallaudet, Camille Callahan, Charlie Gallaudet, Campbell Callahan, Elias Gallaudet, Aili Callahan and Lilianne Callahan. Joan was pre-deceased by her cousins Barbara Flory and Gardner Brooks.
Joan’s funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine’s Church, 43 Essex St., Andover on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at 9:30 am and live streamed at staugustineparish.org/live-stream/. Relatives and friends are most welcome to attend. Interment will be held in the St. Patrick Cemetery in Lowell. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Catholic Relief Services, 228 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD. For additional information, visit www.burkemagliozzi.com.