Boston - Joan A. Stopka, 43, of New Bedford, passed away Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at Massachusetts General Hospital after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. She was the wife of Robert C. Thornhill.
Born in New Haven, CT, daughter of Josephine A. (Szandurski) Stopka of Branford, CT and the late Stanley Stopka, Sr., she grew up in Branford, CT and had lived in New Bedford for the past 20 years. A graduate of University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth she was an assistant program director at the Gleason Y.M.C.A. in Wareham. An avid gardener, she also enjoyed knitting, painting and riding her B.M.W. motorcycle with her husband Robert. She was a charter member of the Sea Chantey Chorus of New Bedford.
Including her husband and mother, she is survived by 3 brothers: Craig A. Stopka of Branford, CT, Stanley J. Stopka, Jr. of Dartmouth and Robert J. Stopka of Panama City Beach, FL; a beloved aunt: Jennie P. Sawicki of Branford, CT; 4 nieces: Rachel, Natalie, Stephanie and Robyn Stopka; and a nephew: Brad Stopka.
Memorial service will be at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, February 2, 2008 at the Unitarian First Church in New Bedford, 71 8th Street, New Bedford.
Flowers are acceptable or memorial donations may be made to: Massachusetts General Hospital Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, 165 Cambridge St., Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114 or the Schooner Ernestina Commission Trust, PO Box 2010, New Bedford, MA 02741-2010.