Joan (Driscoll) Donnelly

Joan Donnelly (Driscoll) of Newton, Age 91, on June 20, 2025.  She was the beloved wife of B. Philip (Phil) for over 67 years.   A lifelong member of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Joan was the daughter of Gertrude and Joseph Driscoll and was predeceased by her cherished sister Carolyn (Sissy) and her loving brothers Brendan and Joseph.  She was the devoted mother of Maureen, Philip, Christopher, Thomas, Michael, and Carolyn, and the late Susan Donnelly, and caring mother-in-law to Paul, Maryanne, Joanne, Sheila, and John.  Joan was a doting grandmother to Adrienne and her husband John, Julia, Sean, Jillian, Shannon, Kristen, Caleigh, and Olivia, and proud great grandmother to Tara, Dylan, and Brendan.

Joan’s life was framed by her love story.  She and Phil were first introduced to each other 75 years ago at F.W. Woolworth’s in Newton Corner.  They walked their first dinner date together to Howard Johnson’s.  Throughout their marriage, they were always there for each other, always putting their children ahead of themselves.  In their retirement years, they were inseparable and rarely seen without each other.  They were truly soulmates.

Joan’s life of bringing happiness and kindness to everyone she met was rooted in her deep Catholic faith. After raising her seven children, Joan reentered the workforce for twenty five years as an office manager for the League School, which primarily serves autistic children.  She was often the first face to greet the parents and children, and her compassion sustained many people who dealt with profound challenges.  Upon retiring, Joan volunteered for many years with the bereavement ministry at Our Lady’s, again bringing her comforting ways and kind demeanor to others who were suffering. 

Joan loved celebratory gatherings with her extended family that included many nieces and nephews.  She truly enjoyed spending time with her children’s friends, many of whom loved Joan like a second mother.   She cherished her lifelong friends and fellow parishioners from the Our Lady’s parish community and her loyal Newtonville neighbors.  She treasured her time spent in Falmouth with Phil and the wonderful friends she met there.   She felt fortunate to have made seven trips to Ireland with family members and friends, and especially loved the bed and breakfast hosts she met along the way.  Everyone who knew Joanie marveled at her selflessness, perpetual smile and cheerfulness, strength, courage and grace. If a family or friend mentioned a special intention, she would add that name to her daily Novena.  All who knew Joanie were truly blessed.

The family would like to thank the team at Lasell House for their compassionate end of life care for Joan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 573 Washington St, Newton, on Wednesday June 25th at 10:30 a.m.  Friends and Relatives are invited. Visitation will be held at church on Wednesday morning from 9:30 - 10:30 prior to Mass. Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Needham.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s name may be made to Catholic TV, PO Box 9196, Watertown MA 02471 (www.catholictv.org/)

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