Joan A. Wilkens
...Wilkens Insurance Agency in Tewksbury; 76
ARLINGTON - Joan A. (DeGregorio) Wilkens, age 76, the former co-founder and co-owner of
Wilkens Insurance Agency in Tewksbury, died unexpectedly on Sunday, April 30, at her
Arlington home, after a long period of declining health. For over 53 years, she was the wife of
the late Edward H. Wilkens, who died on August 1, 2004.
She was born in Boston, on February 22, 1930, a daughters of the late Michael and Ann (Periello)
DeGregorio, and was raised in Boston and Medford. She graduated from Medford High School.
She lived in Somerville the greater part of her live, and moved to Tewksbury in 1995. She
moved to Arlington one year ago.
Mrs. Wilkins and her late husband co-founded the Wilkens Insurance Agency in Tewksbury,
where she worked as the bookkeeper. In her earlier career, she also worked at the Richard
George Insurance Agency in Somerville.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, William and Karen (DiSaia) Wilkens of
Newburyport; a granddaughter, Samantha Wilkens of Newburyport; a sister, Grace Durston of
Somerville, two nieces, Diana Durston-Heifitz of Somerville, Elise and her husband Robert
Fechtmann of Princeton, NJ; a nephew, Stephen Heifitz of Somerville, her dear friend, Tetley; and
several grand nephews and grand nieces.
Her funeral service was held Thursday, May 4, in the funeral home. Burial was in
Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorials to the MSPCA - Angell, 350 So. Huntington
Ave., Boston, MA 02130 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN,
03801 will be appreciated.