Joan A. Fortier

HOLDEN - Joan A. Fortier, our beloved mother, grandmother and wife, passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2024. She was 87.

Joan grew up in the Thompsonville section of Enfield, CT. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology at American International College in Springfield, MA, Joan worked at Raytheon, focusing on the early development of integrated circuits. Joan then began her 65 year marriage to Norm, and raised four children while completing a Masters in Teaching at Bridgewater State College with an interest in ecology. Before retiring alongside her husband, Joan worked for over 20 years at Saint Vincent Hospital of Worcester.

Joan was an avid reader, keeping a detailed journal of notes about the books that she'd read and eagerly discussing her thoughts and sharing her recommendations with family and friends. Joan also enjoyed knitting, embroidery, listening to music (from opera to Bruce Springsteen) and cooking - there was always an incredible homemade meal with dessert on the table and every kitchen drawer held scraps of handwritten recipes.

Summers were spent on Cape Cod in Brewster; the Paine's Creek area was truly her special place and she swam at Robbins Hill beach every afternoon - in fact, she loved it so much that we renamed it "Grandma's Beach." Spending summers on Cape Cod with her children and grandchildren was one of the joys of her life: taking long walks on the Brewster Flats, going for ice cream at Kate's, tending to her garden, and collecting wild grapes to make jam.

Joan was known for her sharp wit, love of a bargain, and curious intellect. She will be dearly missed by Normand Fortier, her husband; her children Joann and husband Stephen, Paul and wife Martha, Mark and wife Rena, and Denise and husband Tim; and grandchildren Meg, Madeline, Emma, Julia, Ben, Marielle, Max and Samantha.

At Joan's request, services and a celebration of her life will be held privately among family.