Joan M. (Carroll) Lamarche, 76, of Worcester died Tuesday, April 15th at home surrounded by her family. Her husband of 44 years, Ernest F. Lamarche, Sr. died August 14, 2000. She leaves a daughter, Jo-Ann Brady and her husband, William of Marlborough; two sons, Thomas Lamarche of Townsend and Robert Lamarche and his wife, Jacqueline of Worcester; eight grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; two brothers, Francis Carroll of Worcester and Thomas Carroll of San Diego, CA; two sisters, Nancy Glassick and Barbara Emerson of San Diego, CA and many nieces and nephews. Joan was predeceased by a son, Ernest Lamarche, Jr; a daughter, Diane Lamarche; a brother, C. Joseph Carroll and a sister, Patricia Greenlaw.
She was born in Worcester to Cornelius J. and Aurora (Agnew) Carroll. Joan was educated in Worcester and graduated from the former High School of Commerce. She was employed as a cardiac technician at UMass Memorial Hospital and as banquet consultant for business and employee functions at Small Business Service Bureau in Worcester. Joan will be missed at SBSB where she developed special theme lunches for employees on a monthly basis. Joan got a kick out of celebrating the holidays at these lunches and won many fans with her big smile and special treats she handed to each employee, homemade chocolate at Valentine’s Day or candy canes at Christmas.
A devout Catholic, Joan was an active member of St. John’s Catholic Church where she served as a volunteer for the St. John’s Food for the Poor Drive, the American Cancer Foundation and Sacred Heart School as a volunteer in the cafeteria and several school and charitable organizations. In 1991, Joan was voted the first person (and first woman) as an Honorary Auburn Rotarian. She loved cooking for large family gatherings and enjoyed reading mystery novels. Joan was always the first to volunteer to lend a hand when someone needed help and did this with a giving spirit and a wonderful attitude for life. She will lovingly be remembered as “Our Joanie”.
Her funeral is Tuesday, April 22nd from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue with a Mass at 10:00 AM in St. John’s Church, 40 Temple Street. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours are Monday, April 21st from 4:00 until 7:00 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Joan’s honor to St. John’s Food for the Poor, St. John’s Church, 40 Temple Street, Worcester, MA 01604.