Joan M. Candee

Joan Curley Candee of Wallingford, CT and Lake Dunmore, Salisbury, VT, passed away on May 28, 2022.  She was predeceased by the love of her life her loving husband of 33 years George W. Candee, Jr.  She was born in New Haven on July 19, 1949 to the late Vincent R. Curley (NHFD) and Eleanor O’Dea Curley.

She leaves behind her caring sister, Carol Northrop and her husband Walter of North Haven.  She was a proud and devoted aunt to Cheryl Northrop of North Haven and Thomas V. Northrop (Lauren) of Beverly Hills, Michigan.  Joan was also delighted to be the Great-Aunt of William, Ciara and Elaina of Beverly Hills, Michigan.  Judy Mata and her husband James and their daughters Kenzi & Kenli of Ohio and Mary Blanco and her daughters Madison and Makala of Texas.  Joan is also survived by special cousins Thomas & Bridie O’Dea of New Haven, and Rita O’Dea Podell and her husband Eric of California and many other cousins in the New Haven area; sister-in-law Mary Critchett of Florida.  In addition to being predeceased by her loving husband and parents she was predeceased by her in-laws George & Esther Candee Sr., brother-in-law Frank Critchett and her nephew Michael V. Northrop.

Besides being a great wife, daughter, sister and aunt, Joan leaves behind many special friends Carolyn & Wayne LaSalle, Sandy & Zafir Agic, Sally and Sal Diglio, Teri & Tom Ruggiero, Ken Nevers, Bob Doborwicz all of CT, and Gary Dupoise of VT and many more friends in both Connecticut and Vermont.

Joan graduated from St. Peter’s Grammar School and from St. Mary’s High School in New Haven.  Joan was a long-time employee of Anthem Blue Cross in CT, retiring after 28 plus years of dedicated service.

Joan was happiest at the lake or riding all around Vermont with George.  She also enjoyed needlepoint or reading a good book, as well as spending time with friends and family and spoiling a new generation of nieces and nephew.  Joan remembered every friend or co-worker she ever met and had a great story to tell.

To those she leaves behind, we are left to remember her big heart, great sense of humor and despite her several years of illness, a spirit we can only hope to emulate.  She will be forever missed.  The family would like to thank Johanna LaSala, M.D., and her wonderful caring staff for all they did for Joan during her years of illness. 

Donations in Joan’s memory can be made to Smilow Closer to Free at Yale New Haven Hospital, Office of Development, P.O. Box 1849, New Haven, CT  06508-9979.

The family requests everyone attending services wear a mask.

Visitation will be held at Keenan Funeral Home in West Haven on Sunday June 5th from 5-7 pm.  A funeral mass is scheduled at 12:00 pm on Monday, June 6th at St. Barnabas Church in North Haven, with burial at St. Lawrence Cemetery in West Haven. 

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