Joan C. (Mathaisel) Fontecchio

Joan Fontecchio, a resident of Needham, Massachusetts, formerly of Westwood, Massachusetts, died at Home and Hospice of Rhode Island, in Providence, R. I. at the age of 71. Her loving family was at her side.
Joan was born in Boston as Joanne Claire Mathaisel, the first of five surviving children of Bernard V. and Adelaide E. Mathaisel. Beloved wife of the late Ernest "Al" Fontecchio of Newton Center, MA, Loving Mother of Glen Fontecchio and Gregg Fontecchio, and devoted "Nana" of five grandchildren – Robert, Arianna, Sam, Daniel, and Emma. She is survived also by her brothers, Bernard Mathaisel of Newport Beach, CA, Dennis Mathaisel of Concord, MA, Bryan Mathaisel of Westwood, MA and her sister, Barbara Lee of Portland ME and aunt "Suzie" Wallace of Needham, MA. Also surviving Joan are Gregg's wife, Patti and Glen's partner, Thom. Joan was the sister-in-law of Jeanne Fontecchio of Newton MA, and Virginia Van de Workeen of New Jersey, and several nieces and nephews.
Joan lived on Beacon Hill, Boston, until she was 15 and then moved to Newton Center with her Mother, Father and family and then to Chestnut Hill, MA.
She was a high school graduate of Our Lady of Presentation in Brighton, MA. Joan represented her school several times at the Boston based "quiz down" which was a scholastic contest amongst students.
She worked at Newton City Hall in the Planning Department, where she met her late husband. She got married at St. Ignatius Church in Chestnut Hill on September 2, 1961. Her reception was at the renowned Copley Plaza, Boston, MA. She and her late husband (Al) lived on Langley Road, Newton Center and later moved to Fearing Drive, Westwood, MA. Joan and Al owned and operated Village Card and Gift Shop in Canton, MA for many years. Joan later worked for her sister-in-law, Mimi, at the Sheraton Boston gift shop.
Joan was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and cheered them on for every game. She was a classical movie enthusiast and a big fan of theatrical musicals, especially Phantom of the Opera. Anyone who knew Joan understood her passion for collectables. She was a great lover of cats, and cared for many during her life. Joan loved travel, vacationed for many summers in the Catskills, and more recently to Provincetown with Glen and Thom. Joan loved an adventure and made several trips, some of which were to Egypt, Greece, Poland, Russia, Bermuda, and Hawaii.
More than anything, Joan loved to spend time with her Grandchildren. She delighted in everything they did.
Funeral from the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Avenue Needham on Tuesday, February 21 at 9AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph Church at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours on Monday from 4-7 PM. Interment Newton Cemetery. The family wishes that donations be made to Home and Hospice of Rhode Island, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02906 or the American Cancer Society in Joan's name in lieu of flowers.

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