Joan E. DeCouto of Franklin, who lived a joyful life of 81 years, died peacefully at home on June 10, 2024.
Joan had a lifelong devotion to the Holy Family and would have been pleased to know she entered eternal life in the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Born in Fall River, she grew up in Medway, a foster child of George and Mary Higgins, whom she loved very much. She attended Medway High School where she enjoyed Glee Club, Softball, and Yearbook, and made friendships that have lasted a lifetime. She was a Girl Scout and a proud member of the St. Joseph’s Medway Drill Team. In Joan’s high school year book, she put her favorite quote as “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and her favorite pastime as “Taking care of children”. This set the tone for the rest of her life.
After graduating from Medway High School in 1962, she earned a Certificate of Bookkeeping, which launched a 40-year career in finance at New England Life and Back Bay Advisors in Boston. She later worked closer to home at CVS and The Radisson until she retired.
Throughout her career, Joan was an active volunteer, as a Corporate Board Member at Rosie’s Place in Boston, as a Condominium Association Trustee in Medway, as a Minister of the Eucharist at St. Mary’s Church in Franklin, and as a member of St. Vincent de Paul Society in Franklin, serving as Treasurer and in many other roles. In visiting families in their homes, she especially loved seeing the children, and always had something to share with them.
Joan had many hobbies including travel to the Holy Land and shrines of the world, hiking and camping, cross stitch, crocheting, diamond dot crafting, reading, driving to the coast of Maine for a day trip.
Reflective in her artwork is both her great sense of humor and her reverence of the Divine.
Joan built community around her wherever she lived. Eaton Place in Franklin was her final home, and she cared for her neighbors quietly, picking up debris on the grounds, delivering packages, accompanying people to appointments, decorating the halls and just being a good neighbor.
An unwavering devotion to Jesus Christ and her Catholic faith was at the center of Joan’s life. Her quiet witness is the greatest legacy she leaves with those who were fortunate enough to know her throughout her life. Among her greatest joys was becoming a godmother to her godsons, Joey and Peter. She provided them with holy water, books and her gift of faith.
Joan is predeceased by her only sibling, Leonard DeCouto, and her “adopted” brother Diarmuid Higgins.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral Monday June 17th, at the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. with visitation beginning at 9AM followed by a funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church 1 Church Square Franklin at 11AM. To view the Mass stmarysfranklin.org
Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Oakland St., Medway.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mary’s Meals, https://marysmeals.org Mailing address: 590 Bloomfield Avenue #280 Bloomfield, NJ 07003.
Guestbook www.oterifuneralhome.com