Joan Mandels
December 10, 1942 – December 16, 2021
Joan Mandels Roche, 79, of Suffield,
was a loving wife, mother, step-grandmother, and sister as well as a beloved friend
to many people and pets, and a glowing light to all who met her. Joan died
peacefully on Thursday, December 16, 2021, surrounded by family, after a brief
illness.
Born December 10, 1942, in Waterbury,
Connecticut, Joan was the daughter of Gabriel and Mary (Hickox) Mandels. After
her father finished his service during WWII, Joan grew up in Rose Valley,
Pennsylvania and then Natick, Massachusetts.
She graduated from the University of
Vermont and then moved to Washington, DC where she met her husband John, an
upstairs neighbor who helped her move a couch and captured her heart.
They married in 1966 and moved to
Suffield in 1970, where they have lived ever since. She and John celebrated
their 55th wedding anniversary in October.
Joan dedicated her time to raising
two children, and then worked for many years at the Kent Memorial Library in
Suffield. Joan enjoyed spending time with her husband at their farmhouse
growing beautiful gardens, walking their dog, and taking care of horses. She
also liked to travel with family, enjoying many lobster dinners on the coast of
Maine, family trips to national parks, and visits to California and Hawaii.
Joan's enduring smile, heart of gold, and selfless generosity touched those who
loved her most and those who only met her briefly.
She leaves her loving husband John
Roche, son Steve Roche, his wife Melissa Roche and stepdaughter Brielle,
daughter Sue Roche, her husband Brian Frost and stepchildren Matthew and Julia,
and brother Peter Mandels.
Joan's celebration of life will be
held during warmer weather in 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made
in Joan's memory to the Friends of Kent Memorial Library, 50 North Main Street,
Suffield, CT 06078. Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home has care of
arrangements. To leave on-line condolences please visit
www.carmonfuneralhome.com
Published by Hartford Courant on Dec.
19, 2021.