Joan M. Bedard

PAXTON - Joan M. (Handfield) Bedard, 88, of Paxton, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, November 17, 2024. She leaves behind her loving husband of 67 years, Richard G. Bedard.

Joan was born in Worcester, the daughter of the late Arthur J. Handfield and Margaret Irene (Carroll) Handfield. She attended Classical High School and Worcester State College. She left college after she and Richard married and they began their life together traveling to Fort Campbell, Kentucky and then to Germany where Richard served in the U.S. Army.

The couple started a family while in the military and decided to raise their family in Paxton when they returned to Massachusetts. After putting her degree on hold for more than thirty years, Joan returned to Worcester State College and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.

Joan spent ten years working at Richards Memorial Library in Paxton as an Assistant Librarian and as a part-time clerk at her brother's insurance agency. She also spent over ten years working at the Worcester Historical Museum as an Assistant Librarian. Joan always had a love of reading and a love of history, and felt fortunate to have found a career where she could combine the two things she loved.

Through the years, Joan became an active member of the Paxton community. She was a Library Board of Trustee, a member of the Paxton Women's Club, and a member of the Paxton Council on Aging. Joan volunteered on the Paxton Scholarship Committee, the Paxton Cultural Commission, the Saint Columba Parish Council and Religious Education Program, and the Girl Scouts of America. Through her years of service, Joan made many friends, whose relationships she cherished.

Joan leaves behind four children: Deborah Warms and her husband Kurt, Richard Bedard, Jr. and his wife Jane, Stephen Bedard and his wife Carol, and James Bedard and his wife JoAnne; eight grandchildren; Christopher, Jonathan, James, John, Valerie, Abigail, Amanda, and Andrew; seven great-grandchildren; Harper, Juliana, Ember, River, Rosalie, Archer, and Stella. Joan also leaves behind her brother-in-law, Gerald Bedard, and many nephews and nieces. Her niece, Emily Handfield, has always had a special place in her heart.

Joan was predeceased by her daughter, Lynn Anne Bedard, her mother Margaret Irene (Carroll) Handfield, her father, Arthur J. Handfield, Jr., her mother-in-law, Mildred (Bowler) Bedard, her father-in-law, Romeo Bedard, two brothers, Paul Handfield, and Robert Handfield, three sisters-in-laws, Norma (Patrie) Bedard, Beverly (Martin) Handfield, and Cassie (Armery) Handfield, and a daughter-in-law, Kathleen (Ryan) Bedard.

Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for calling hours from 4 to 7 pm on Wednesday, November 20, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am on Thursday, November 21, at Saint Columba Church, 18 Richards Avenue, Paxton. Interment will follow in Mooreland Cemetery, Richards Avenue., Paxton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Friends of the Richards Memorial Library, 44 Richards Avenue, Paxton, MA 01612.

To share a memory or offer condolence, please visit the "Tribute Wall" on this page.