TEWKSBURY: Joan C. (Maher) L'Italien, age 77, a resident of Tewksbury for 50 years, passed away on Friday, March 25, 2011 at the Sawtelle Hospice House in Reading.
She was the beloved wife of Richard R. L'Italien, with whom she celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on April 30, 2010.
Born in Wakefield, she was the daughter of the late Patrick J. Maher and the late Helen T. (Kelly) Maher.
Joan attended Wakefield schools and graduated from Wakefield High School.
Following graduation, she was employed for several years by the New England Telephone Company.
In 1960, following their marriage, Joan and her husband moved to Tewksbury, where they raised their family.
In later years, Joan worked as an administrator for the Tewksbury Public Schools.
She was a communicant of Saint Williams Parish of Tewksbury and St. Dorothy's Parish in Wilmington.
Joan enjoyed vacationing with her family in Maine, reading, sewing and needlepoint.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by one daughter, Pamela J. DeVlaminck and her husband Richard of Chelmsford; two sons, Michael J. L'Italien and his wife Darlene of Hudson, NH and Mark R. L'Italien and his wife Sharroll of N. Chelmsford; seven grandchildren, Ryan L'Italien and his wife Posie, Justin L'Italien and his wife Jamie, Ashley, Brittany, Olivia and Avery L'Italien and Jacob DeVlaminck; one sister, Helen T. Pretty of North Reading; one brother, David Maher and his wife Rosemary of Melrose; also many nieces and nephews.
Joan was the sister of the late Priscilla Maher and the late Mary Elizabeth Maher.
Calling hours Monday, March 28, from 4-8 p.m., at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Her funeral will be held Tuesday, March 29, at 10:30 a.m., from the funeral home, followed by her Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m., at St. Williams Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.