Joan Elizabeth Mattson, 83, of Port Charlotte, FL, passed peacefully on Monday, September 15th, surrounded by her loving family in the HopeHealth Hospice Center, Providence, R.I. Born in Ayer, MA, a daughter of the late Joseph and Helen (Whitcomb) Mullin. She had lived in Port Charlotte for 10 years previously living in Lancaster, MA, Greenville, RI and Wakefield, RI.
She graduated from Townsend High School in 1960. After raising four children, Joan earned her certificate in accounting then held multiple office jobs and retired after working at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, Massachusetts.
An energetic, active woman, Joan participated in many activities over the years, camping, cruising, snowshoeing, dog sledding, helicopter rides. traveling, going to Disney, Universal Studios and Busch Gardens with her friends and family. She was always up for an adventure.
A dedicated mother and grandmother, she was lovingly referred to as Grammie “Gramcracker” by her eight grandchildren. She truly enjoyed all her grandchildren and spent much time attending all their birthdays, sports and school events. A devoted friend, always smiling and ready to lend a helping hand. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, dancing, reading, card playing, baking, bike riding and she especially loved ice cream (saying “there is always room for ice cream because it slips between the cracks”). In her latter days in Punta Gorda, FL she spent her evenings watching the sunset with her “sugar daddy” Joseph and playing card games with all her cherished friends and visiting relatives at Port Charlotte Village. She was an avid fan of Disney, the Red Sox and the NE Patriots and attended Super Bowl XXXVIII with her son Bob. She was very loved and will be truly missed by all her friends and family.
Joan is survived by:
Loving companion Joseph Lees of Punta Gorda, FL
Son Robert Mattson and wife Cheryl of Smithfield, RI
Daughter Lisa Bencivengo and husband Dave of Morristown, NJ
Son Gary Mattson and wife Alicia of Galloway, NJ
Daughter Julie Mattson and her companion, Bob Fehlberg of Greenville, RI
She was the sister of William Mullin and wife Carol of Townsend, MA, and sister of Karyn Woodward of Leominster, MA
She leaves her grandchildren, Michael, Matthew and Stephanie Mattson, Christopher and Jonathan Bencivengo, and Gavin, Erik and Em Mattson.
And her great grandchild Jack Bencivengo.
A “Celebration of Life” get-together will be held at Blackie’s Restaurant at 280 George Washington Hwy, Smithfield, RI on Sunday, September 21 anytime between the hours of 12 to 3pm. Friends and family are welcome to stop by to celebrate the life of this wonderful woman.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to HopeHealth Hospice Center.
HopeHealth Hospice Center