DUDLEY – Joan “JoJo” (Bembenek) Cregg, 87, died Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at Brookdale at Eddy Pond in Auburn.
She leaves her devoted husband of 56 years, Michael W. Cregg; Her children, Laurie A. Heflin and her partner Richard Lindgren of Dudley, Jeannine M. Staniewicz and her husband Joe Sterczala of Methuen, Erin Joan Wallace and her partner James Marotti of Cordova, TN, Kelly J. Gemme of Oxford, and Michael B. Cregg of Dudley; a sister, Joy Kowal of Canterbury, CT; 10 grandchildren, Katie Oakley, Allison Joan Heflin, Christopher Heflin, Emily & Felicia Wallace, Brittany, Mariah, & Michael Gemme, Tara Lee, and Jenna Cregg; 7 great-grandchildren, Rachel & Charlotte Oakley, Delilah Heflin, Connor & Grayson Lee, and Keagan & Ryan Sullivan; nieces and nephews.
Joan was born on December 27, 1936 and raised by her grandparents, Stephen & Anna Bulejcik in Webster, MA. She graduated from Bartlett High School in 1954 and worked as a legal secretary at the office of Attorney Ernest Belforti for 40 years, retiring in 2005.
She was very proud of her Slovak heritage and passed on a strong sense of integrity to her children and grandchildren. She was a dedicated parishioner of Saint Louis Church, attending Mass weekly and volunteering countless hours at the rectory and as a member of the League of Catholic Women.
Joan had many talents that she expressed through her hobbies: she enjoyed gardening, knitting, & oil painting and made beautiful gifts for her family & friends. She loved animals of all kinds and they loved her; She delighted in taking walks with her dog and would wave ‘hi’ to everyone in the neighborhood as she passed. After retirement, she enjoyed scrapbooking with her sister, Joy, and going on Red Hat Club excursions with her lifelong friend, Mary.
Joan enjoyed traveling in her fifth-wheel trailer with her husband, Mike; Together they visited nearly all 50 states. Her favorite destination of all was Lancaster, PA, where she found calm in the quiet tranquility of the Amish country. Even when relaxing on vacation, Joan would always make time to get moving; She exercised daily no matter where she was. Joan took wonderful care of herself and of those around her. She brought laughter and joy into many lives and she will be greatly missed.
Her funeral will be held on Saturday, June 22, from Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, Webster, with a Mass at 11:00 AM in Saint Louis Church, 14 Lake Street, Webster. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:30 AM Saturday in the funeral home, prior to the Mass. Donations in her name may be made to Saint Louis Church, 52 Negus Street, Webster. MA 01570.