Ms. Barbara Joan DeSantis' Obituary
Barbara Joan DeSantis, 84, born in Lawrence, MA and a lifelong resident of the Boston area, passed away peacefully June 20, 2023 with family by her side. She was born to the late James and Alice DeSantis on August 10, 1918. Joan, as she was known, went to school in Lawrence and graduated from St. Joseph’s College of Maine with a degree in nursing. She went on to continue her education and obtained a Master’s in Child Psychology. Helping children cope with challenges was her lifelong passion. She spent her career counseling children and she continued to mentor several who pursued careers in nursing and psychology.
Joan is survived by her family members, Robert and Rosemary Mercier of Tyngsborough, MA, David and Karen Pillitteri of Littleton, MA, Brenda Clarke of North Andover, Gail DeSantis of Salem, NH, Jayne Fichera of Boxford, MA, Scott McCarthy of Falmouth, MA, Ryan McCarthy of Lowell, MA, Amie and Michael Stevens of Dunstable, and several others in and outside of the Boston area, as well as her friends, colleagues and patients from her work. She was predeceased by her cousins, John Mercier, of Derry, NH and Paulette Waller of Lawrence, MA.
Joan enjoyed traveling with friends and she especially enjoyed spending time with the many pets in the family and those of friends.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to MSPCA Angell, a Boston-area organization with the mission to protect animals and advance their health and welfare. MSPCA can be reached at www.mspca.org.
Family and friends will honor and celebrate Joan’s life by gathering for a short service at 11 AM on Thursday, July 6, 2023 at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen. Burial will be private per the family's request.
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