Joan Phyllis Winterkorn (1938 - 2024)
Joan Phyllis Winterkorn, age 85, beloved mother, grandmother and friend died peacefully in her sleep on August 3, 2024 after a brief illness.
Joan was born in Waltham, Massachusetts on September 18th 1938 to Joseph and Mary Doucette. Her school days were spent at Rosary Academy boarding school in Watertown. In 1956, at the age of 18, she married Ernest Winterkorn. They raised their family in Waltham, MA.
Joan is survived by her two daughters Cynthia Bissell and her husband Richard of Barre, MA and Sue Collura and her husband John of Fitchburg, MA. She was very proud of her six grandchildren; Nicholas and Brian Collura and Eric, Aaron, Anthony and Natasha Bissell. She was predeceased by her parents, husband and sister Janice Pester.
Joan was a fierce advocate for veterans and she was a life member of the VFW Auxiliary. She served as the very first president of the Waltham PFC John M. Sullivan Post 10334 VFW Auxiliary in 1977. She then worked her way up through her VFW district and state chairs and was elected State President in 1994. Her special projects always included fundraising and events for children with disabilities.
She worked for many years at Puritan Dress Factory in Waltham as a switchboard operator. She spent some years living in Arizona where she worked at the LATCH school for children with special needs in Phoenix. She eventually moved back to Massachusetts to escape the heat and be closer to her daughters and grandchildren.
In addition to her work for veterans and children, she also loved animals and spending time with friends and family, especially her best friend Pat Paradis. Special thanks to the staff and fellow residents at Lincoln Hill Manor in Spencer, MA who took such excellent care of her in her final years. She will be missed by all who knew her.
There will be a private celebration of her life with immediate family, per her wishes. Donations can be made in Joan’s name to the VFW Post 10334 Auxiliary, 623 Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA, 02452.