JOAN F. (CRAWFORD) LAVACCHIA

January 18, 2023

JOAN F. (CRAWFORD) LAVACCHIA

Joan F. (Crawford) Lavacchia – of Woburn, died peacefully, January 18th, with her family by her side at the age of ninety-three. Beloved wife of the late Gerald J. “Jerry” Lavacchia. Devoted mother of Gerry Lavacchia, his late wife Jackie, of ME, Bill Lavacchia, his late wife Nancy, of Woburn, Jack Lavacchia, his wife Lee of Andover, Cheryl “Susie” Smith of Bedford, Dawn Lavacchia Donlon, Betsy Wells, her husband Stephen, all of Woburn, Cathy Lavacchia of NH, and the late Jimmy Lavacchia. Cherished grandmother of thirteen grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and predeceased by her grandsons, Billy Lavacchia and Andrew Donlon. Dear sister of the late Andrew, Herbert, Lester, Warren and David Crawford, and the late Elsie Holden. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects from 4 -7 p.m., Monday, January 23rd, in the Lynch – Cantillon Funeral Home 263 Main St. Woburn. Burial will take place privately at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s memory to the VNA Hospice and Care or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Joan F. (Crawford) Lavacchia – a resident of Woburn, died peacefully January 18th, with her family by her side, at the age of ninety-three. She was the beloved wife of the late Gerald J. “Jerry” Lavacchia. 

 
Born and raised in Woburn and Burlington, Joan was a daughter of the late Andrew and Elizabeth “Bessie” (Cassidy) Crawford. She was a graduate of Burlington High School.
 
In 1948, Joan married the love of her life, Jerry Lavacchia. Together they settled in North Woburn, where they raised their eight children. Joan’s greatest accomplishment in life was raising her children and watching them each graduate from high school. Her home was a constant gathering place for holidays or pool days in the hot summer.
 
Joan was a fiercely independent woman, who never held a driver’s license but found a way to get everywhere! She would travel by bus or train with her children, and later grandchildren, to Boston and beyond. She especially enjoyed visiting Revere Beach and vacationing at Hampton.
 
As the years went by, she always remained active. She joined the Woburn Senior Center where she participated in the aerobics and yoga classes, well into her eighties. She also had a witty and quick sense of humor and made friends easily wherever she went. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting and was known to make afghans for her children and grandchildren. 
 
She will be deeply missed and never forgotten by the ones she loved most. Devoted mother of Gerry Lavacchia, his late wife Jackie, of ME, Bill Lavacchia, his late wife Nancy, of Woburn, Jack Lavacchia, his wife Lee of Andover, Cheryl “Susie” Smith of Bedford, Dawn Lavacchia Donlon of Woburn, Betsy Wells, her husband Stephen, of Woburn, Cathy Lavacchia of NH, and the late Jimmy Lavacchia. Cherished grandmother of thirteen grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and predeceased by her grandsons, Billy Lavacchia and Andrew Donlon. Dear sister of the late Andrew, Herbert, Lester, Warren and David Crawford, and the late Elsie Holden. 
 
Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects from 4 -7 p.m., Monday, January 23rd, in the Lynch – Cantillon Funeral Home 263 Main St. Woburn. Burial will take place privately at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s memory to the VNA Hospice and Care or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects from 4 -7 p.m., Monday, January 23rd, in the Lynch – Cantillon Funeral Home 263 Main St. Woburn. Burial will take place privately at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s memory to the VNA Hospice and Care or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Guestbook

11 Entries

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  1. Rev. Karen Hodges

    I am so sorry for your loss. May Joan’s memory be a blessing for all of us.
    Rev. Karen Hodges, North Congregational Church, UCC Woburn

  2. Karen Ronan

    Bill – Sending our thoughts & condolences to you, Lisa, Jill & your entire family. I remember your Mom at the hockey rinks – always sporting her beautiful smile.
    With sympathy,
    Karen & Joe

  3. Albie Clement

    Billy, I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mother. My condolences to you and your family.

  4. Janice Wollinger

    Dear Lavacchia Family,

    My sincerest condolonces on the passing of your Mother, Joan. She was a lovely lady who was well known and respected to all who knew her.

    Janice Wollinger

  5. Lou Galante

    Dear Lavacchia Family,

    I am so sorry to hear of Joan’s passing. She will be remembered by all of us in the neighborhood as a very caring parent and neighbor. Enjoy the memories as you celebrate her life.

    My sincere condolences to all of you!

    Lou Galante

  6. Donna (Stokes) Christie

    Dawn. I did not have the pleasure of knowing your mom, but do know you, so she had to be a very kind and caring person. You should find comfort in knowing that you took such good care of her in her final years. I hope you also find comfort in all of your memories with your mom.9

  7. Charlie Culhane

    Billy & family,

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. The ones we love are never forgotten. May you know peace and comfort.

    God bless,

    The Culhanes

  8. Brenda Hembrow

    Dear Lavacchia family;

    I’m so sorry to hear of Joan’s passing! She was so lovely to all of us growing up on Mountain Road and Poole Street! We were all like a big family back in the early years!
    My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
    Brenda (Galante) Hembrow

  10. Nancy Tedesco Steeves

    Dear Lavacchia Family,

    So sorry to hear of Joan’s passing. She was a sweet lady and always had a nice hello when walking the ‘back roads’. Wishing strength to you all in the days ahead.

    Nancy Tedesco Steeves

  11. Dianne Connor Carbone

    So sorry for each and every one of you who have been touched by this amazing woman. Always a pleasure to be in her company. She raised a wonderful, loving family who took such great care of her each and every day. Happy for her to join those she so loved in this life who went before her paving the way for her to join them in her new journey. Enjoy the memories she gave you.
    Dianne Connor Carbone

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