Joan (Beach Sheehy) Veillette, 82, of Waterbury passed away Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015 at Vitas Hospice at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury. She was the wife of Robert E. Veillette.
Mrs. Veillette was born in Waterbury Oct. 10, 1932, to the late Violet (Stroberg) and Lloyd Beach. Joan was the mother of five children, whom she adored. Prior to her retirement as a sales account executive at the Waterbury Republican, she was a former Waterbury town clerk during the Palomba administration and a licensed real estate broker and owner of Tribury Realty.
Joan was active in many community organizations. She served as director of the Waterbury chapter of The American Cancer Society, was a volunteer at the Mattatuck Museum and a committee member in the establishment of Waterbury’s Holy Land. She was awarded the Outstanding Young Women of America designation for her charitable activities, community service and professional excellence. Joan was an avid gardener, had a love for ballroom dancing, and enjoyed summers in Block Island, R.I.
She will be most remembered by her family for her warmth, compassion, and capacity to always see the good in others. Joan was admired by many for her grace and elegance.
She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Robert E. Veillette; her children, Beverly (Kevin) Canning of Middlefield, Conn.; Steven Sheehy of Delray Beach, Fla.; Carol (Don) Carver of Middlebury, Conn.; and Colleen (Michael) Lynch of Kensington Conn.; and her sister-in-law, Ann Sheehy Coppeto of Manchester, Conn. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Betty Veillette of Southbury, Conn.; Jan (Michael) Carey of Middlebury, Conn.; Robin (Daniel) Donato of Waterbury, Conn.; Douglas (Mary) Veillette of Middlebury, Conn.; and Robert S. (Maria) Veillette of Middlebury, Conn. Joan leaves six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, 13 step-grandchildren, and four step-great-grandchildren. Joan also leaves many nieces, nephews and cherished friends. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her son, Richard Sheehy; her sister, Bonna Oliver; and her step-grandson, Christopher V. Donato.
The funeral Mass was Oct. 9 at Blessed Sacrament Church. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City OK 73123-1718, or to The Veillette Family Fund at the Connecticut Community Foundation (to benefit the Silas Bronson Library), 43 Field St., Waterbury CT 06702.
Visit www.murphyfuneralhomect.com for more information or to send an online condolence.
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