Clark, Joan

Joan L. (Blaisdell) Clark, 73, of Wilmington, died at her home, surrounded by her family, on Monday, January 28, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer. Joan was born December 5, 1934, in Everett, MA; she was daughter of the late Albert E., Sr. & Katherine I. (Gilman) Blaisdell. Joan grew up in Everett, where she was educated and graduated from Everett High School. Joan married Robert Linwood Clark on May 12, 1956, and they were just shy of 52 years of marriage. They moved to Wilmington over 30 years ago where they raised their four daughters. Prior to retiring, Joan was a special education teacher for the Town of Wilmington, where she spent the majority of her time teaching at the Shawsheen School. Joan also spent some of her extra time as a home health aide, caring for an elderly woman. Joan was very giving, supportive and extremely devoted to her family and friends. She spent her time attending sporting and school events for her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whatever they were involved in they could count on her to be there cheering them on. She was an active member of the Wilmington Congregational Church, where she participated in the "Bell Choir", as well as the regular Choir, which she referred to as the "Joyful Noise Section". Joan also attended other religious events with her family and friends. Joan loved to go to horse shows and 4-H events, where she judged visual presentations and volunteered to read at the Three Apples Festival. But she will be largely remembered for her love of sports and being the ULTIMATE Patriots and Red Sox fan, and her avid ability to solve crossword puzzles.

Joan was the beloved wife of Robert L. Clark, devoted mother of Cheryl A. Solombrino & her husband Stephen of Wilmington, Sharon L. Ciruolo & her husband Kevin of Athol, Robyn L. Marsh & her husband Daryn, and Joy L. Clark & her husband Jim LaChapelle all of Wilmington. Loving grandmother of Christy Coonradt & her husband Corey, Stacey Sawyer, Jeffrey Sawyer, Jarred Sawyer & his wife Ashley, Adam Sawyer & Kat Perry, Nicholas Ciruolo, Jennifer Ciruolo, Siobhan O'Sullivan, Katy Marsh, Abby Marsh, & Bekah Marsh, great-grandmother of Alicia Lessard-Sawyer, Stefanie, Danielle, & Tyler Coonradt, Joey Sawyer, and Casey O'Sullivan, and Joan was the dear sister of the late Albert E. Blaisdell and Jimmy Blaisdell.

Joan's visiting hours will be held at the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington on Thursday, January 31st, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Her Funeral Service will be held on Friday, February 1st at the Wilmington Congregational Church, 220 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington at 9:30 a.m. Memorial donations in Joan's memory may be made to the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Development Office, 165 Cambridge St., Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114.

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