Mrs Joan Bleau

Torrington - Mrs. Joan O’Neill Bleau died peacefully on Monday, March 9, 2020 in Torrington. She was 90 years old and was the widow of Roger A. Bleau. Joan was born in Waterbury on September 15, 1929, daughter of the late Andrew and Elizabeth (Ryan) O’Neill, and was raised in Thomaston. She graduated from Thomaston High School in 1947, and then from Post College. Joan spent her 25-year career at Southern New England Telephone Company, retiring in 1985. Joan and Roger spent most of their married life at their lovely home in Bristol on Pinehurst Road, where they hosted parties and gatherings for friends and family at holidays and around their pool, and were active members at nearby Chippanee Golf Club for many years. They later resided at Stafford Avenue, until Roger’s passing in 2007. Joan moved to Keystone Place in Torrington in 2018.

Joan was an active volunteer in community and church organizations in Bristol, including the Bristol Library, Chamber of Commerce, Senior Center, Chippens Hill Homemakers Group, and Garden Club. Joan was a longtime member of St. Anne’s Church and later St. Matthew’s. She was a Past President of the Bristol Council of Catholic Women, a member of the ATT Pioneers, and a volunteer computer tutor at the Senior Center. She also supported the Thomaston Opera House and Historical Society. Joan was independent, efficient, outspoken, smart, and stylish, with a delightful sense of humor. She could cook up a storm when she was in the mood – her words. She and Roger enjoyed their many travels in the U. S. and to Canada, Mexico, Europe and Bermuda. She never lost her tremendous civic pride in Thomaston.

She leaves her sisters-in-law, Harriet Bleau and Verna Bleau; her “Torrington” niece and nephews William, Paul, Michael, Mark, Thomas and Brian Reardon and Mary Ellen D’Amico; her “Waterbury” nieces Judy Terrill LaRose and Jill Terrill; her “Watertown” nieces Margaret Dashuta and Kathy Watson; her Bleau nieces Diane Snowdon and Karen Winslow; her cousin Marshall Touponse; all their children and grandchildren; and numerous other cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her nephew David Reardon who died in July 2017. Joan’s laughter and presence will be greatly missed but we are grateful and better for the time we had with her.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, March 13 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Thomas Church in Thomaston. Friends may call at the Lyons Funeral Home 46 High St. from 8:30 A.M. until 9:30 A.M. Burial will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Joan’s name to the Friends of Bristol Library c/o the Bristol Public Library 5 High St. Bristol, CT 06010 or the Landmark Community Theatre, P.O. Box 158, Thomaston, CT 06787.