DUDLEY – Joan M. (Anderson) Benvenuti,89, died peacefully at home on March 16, 2026 with her daughters by her side after an illness. Her husband of 52 years, Carl G. Benvenuti died in 2011.
She leaves 2 daughters and caregivers, Carlene A. Benvenuti and Lisa J. Benvenuti both of Dudley; a son, David C. Benvenuti and his wife Caryn of Riverside, CA; a brother, Albert Anderson of California; a sister, Vivian Grey of Arizona; her brother-in-law, Philip Benvenuti and his wife Christine of Auburn, and cousin John Preissler and his wife Cathy of Dudley, all of whom were dear and close friends; many nieces and nephews.
She was born July 15, 1936 in Southbridge and was raised there, a daughter of Alex and Marie V. (Duhamel) Anderson. She was a graduate of Mary E. Wells High School where she was a drum majorette.
Mrs. Benvenuti was a secretary for many at Dudley Junior High School and later at Dudley Intermediate School, retiring in 1995.
She was a member of Saint Louis Church in Webster and was a member of the Saint Louis League of Catholic Women. She also volunteered at the Webster-Dudley Food Share and was a part of the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Joan was famous for knitting shawls and baby sweaters. She enjoyed road trips to California with her husband, working in her yard and gardening, shopping and eating out, and occasional trips to the casino.
The family would like to thank the caring caregivers Micheline and Krystyna and the wonderful staff from the Notre Dame Hospice.
A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 11 at 10:00 AM in Saint Louis Church, 14 Lake Street, Webster (please meet at church). Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Southbridge. The family requests that flowers be omitted and instead donations in her memory be made to Notre Dame Hospice, 555 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605.