Joan E. Wieliczko, 91, of Holderness, NH
Beloved Wife, Mother, Mémère, Grand Mémère, Musician and Community Volunteer
Joan passed away peacefully on May 1, 2025, surrounded by her loving family both near and far. She was born on January 1, 1934, to the late Napoleon and Alice (Paul) Demarais.
Joan spent her childhood and part of her early adulthood in Worcester, MA where she was a proud graduate of South High School and the Worcester School of Nursing. While in nursing school, she orchestrated a bit of real-life romance by introducing her two closest friends to her brothers, creating not just love stories, but a lasting family legacy.
Her life was one of quiet strength and wholehearted devotion to her family, church, and community. In 1957, Joan married the love of her life, Peter Wieliczko, and together they raised six children in Granville, Ohio. She was the longtime organist at The Church of St. Edward the Confessor in Granville, where her music touched many hearts. She also managed the Granville High School band concession stand during Friday night football games in the 1970s and 1980s—a beloved role that reflected her community spirit. Joan also volunteered as a camp nurse for the Licking County 4-H Band and the Granville High School Band, offering care and encouragement to hundreds of young musicians.
Joan also delighted in handiwork, and her creativity and skill with sewing, quilting, knitting and crocheting were a source of pride and love. Her talents were perhaps most beautifully displayed in the wedding gowns she created for her daughters and daughter-in-law, as well as the bridesmaids’ gowns she crafted by hand. These treasured garments became symbols of her devotion, patience and artistry, stitched with care and gifted from the heart.
Joan will be remembered most for her steadfast faith, gentle humor, devotion to family and the music that filled every chapter of her life. She is survived by her six children: Mary (Mark) Conversino, Peter (Carol), Catherine Wall, Patty (Ken Koklich), Joe (Renee Clippard), and Jim (Kathleen). She also leaves her sisters, Pauline Girard and Theresa (Roger) Coulombe and many nieces and nephews.
Joan was a proud grandmother to ten grandchildren: Alex, Emily, Nick, Andrew, Peter, Patricia, John, Tom, Bert, and James. She was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Roma, Allie, Charlotte, Otto, Norma, Hank, and George—each of whom brought her immense joy.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Peter, her parents, her son-in-law Norman, her siblings Bert, Ronald and Jackie Cardinal.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Joan E. Wieliczko, 91, of Holderness, NH, will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, May 12, 2025, at Our Lady of the Angels Parish, 1222 Main Street, Worcester, MA. Interment will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester. Prior to the funeral Mass there will be a viewing and recitation of the Rosary from 9:30 A.M. until 10:30 A.M. at O'CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue.