Joan Tessier-Thomas
July 23, 1941 –  May 22, 2023

In the early hours of Monday, May 22, 2023, Joan Carol Tessier-Thomas, loving mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away just short of her 82nd birthday. Born July 23, 1941 in Worcester, MA she grew up on Rockdale street with her parents Everett and Barbara (Hough) Wickwire. Though an only child, she had enough energy and vibrance to be quite the handful, whether it was going “out on the town” or getting caught up in the infamous Worcester tornado of 1953 with her life long friend, Sandy Johnson.
In 1958 she married Paul Tessier with whom she had her 3 children, Debra, Tammy and Scott. Together they moved to Bernardston then Whately, MA where they lived for many years until their divorce.

Having worked her way through school to obtain her LPN degree, she spent many years at Hillside Nursing Home and later Greenfield working with the elderly there. She later attended Holyoke Community College earning her Hospitality Management degree. Upon completion she moved back to Worcester MA, there she met and married William (Bill) Thomas in 2006. After spending a number of years caring for her mother Barbara, they moved to Dunedin, FL to enjoy the sunshine and slow way of life only a small town in Florida can offer. Much of their time was spent with friends, Dick & Trish Zagrodnik or Kendra & Al, at the beach or enjoying the local eateries. After Bill’s death, Joan moved back to chilly New England, living in her family home, closer to her children in Orleans, MA.

Joan’s joys included bowling, trips to Disney World (where she was a kid again!) and the beach,crafting, jigsaw puzzle marathons, cooking for family & friends, meeting new people, reading thrilling romance novels, and watching the birds on her bird feeders (while chasing the squirrels away!). She was a great listener with an empathetic spirit, never judging and always loving. Joan was caring and friendly to all with a great smile and sense of humor. Her greatest pleasure was to have her loved ones (family and friends) around her — it was then she glowed.

Many of Joan’s closest friends have predeceased her; left to keep Joan’s memory alive are her three children, Debra Beaulieu (Paul), Tammy Ferzoco (Frank -deceased), and Scott Tessier (Anne) as well as her grandchildren, Chris Beaulieu, Ryanne Burke (Dawson), Kathryn, Jeremiah, and Gabrielle Tessier who will forever remember her as “gramma”. As Joan’s favorite Disney World show, the Lion King, claimed, those who pass on “live in us”, and Joan will forever live in us, her family.

For those who wish, donations may be made to Joan’s favorite charity St Jude’s Hospital, your local Humane Society or a charity of your choice.

We wish to thank the caring team at VNA of Cape Cod Hospice for their excellent assistance and support during Joan’s later days. (Donations there are also appreciated.)

We also want to thank all the family & friends that supported us & assisted in the care of our mother/gramma, especially Jayne, Bounphone, Joanne, Nancy, Jamie & Christine.

The family will hold private services and an intimate Celebration of Life at a later date. Please keep Joan in your hearts as will we always.