Obituary of Joanne P. Whelan

Belchertown, Mass.- Joanne P. Whelan, 65, passed away suddenly January 13, 2022 at Milford Regional Medical Center with her loved ones at her side. She was born on September 19, 1956 in Boston to the late Francis and Elizabeth (Curran) DeMiglio. Joanne lived a wonderful childhood in Needham among her family and friends. Some of these friendships lasted a lifetime. Joanne and her husband started their life filled with the travels and challenges of a military family of which Joanne was the anchor for 21 years. She continued her travels and loved to cruise with her husband and friends. Joanne was selfless. Her first joy was always her family first, especially her children and her grandchildren who adored their Mimi. She had an abundance of love and compassion for so many others. She was a wonderful aunt and touched the lives of many through kind words and actions. She found peace and joy in her endless gardens. She called it her heaven on earth. She was forever transplanting, watering and sharing her garden flowers and harvests with all. Joanne was a devout Catholic and a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi. Besides her parents, Joanne was preceded in death by her son, Michael J. Whelan, in 2017. She will be dearly missed by her husband of 45 years, Michael Whelan; son, Sean Whelan and partner Jessica Porter of Walpole; and her four grandchildren, Charlie, Travis, Scarlett and Jameson; and sisters, Maureen, Patricia, Elizabeth and Clare. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi in Belchertown. Please meet directly at the church. Burial will be held privately at Bourne National Cemetery on Friday the 21st at 12:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joanne's memory can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.