Joan M. Upchurch

HOLYOKE:  Joan Muriel (Thorpe) Pancione Upchurch, age 86, of Holyoke and Bailey Island,Maine, formerly of South Hadley, passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at Holyoke Health Care Center. She was born in Holyoke, daughter of the late Henry and Leta (Dobson) Thorpe and graduated from the former Sacred Heart High School and Holyoke Business School.  Joan was a longtime tax preparer for H & R Block. She is survived by four sons, Michael Pancione and his wife Tricia of Granby, Thomas Pancione of South Hadley, Stephen Pancione and his wife Anne Marie of South Hadley and Christopher Upchurch and his wife Sheryl of Palmer; six grandchildren, Shayne, Alycia, Stephen, Nathan, Hannah, and Kyle and four great grandchildren, Colin, Liam, Haley, and Lilley. She was predeceased by a sister, Mary Lou Thorpe. Joan was an inspiration to all who knew her. At a young age, she lost her leg to cancer; however, she never let that slow her down. She was a resilient woman who never allowed these obstacles to hinder her happiness or limit her ability to provide a normal life for her children. If that meant taking her kids to the World’s Fair, traveling to Ireland with her friends, attending the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Holyoke, or trekking around Disney World with her grandchildren, Joan was there. She loved the ocean and her home on Bailey Island. She was happiest spending her days on the deck, taking care of her plants and waving to the lobster boats as they went about their business. She truly lived a long and fulfilling life surrounded by the love of her many, many dear friends and family members. The family would like to thank the Holyoke Health Care Center for the excellent care she received there over the past few years. The Funeral will be held Friday, April 13, 2018 at 10:45 a.m. from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke followed by a Mass at 11:30 a.m. in St. Patrick Church, 30 Main Street, South Hadley. Burial will follow in St. Jerome Cemetery, Holyoke.  Calling hours will be held Friday prior to the service from 9:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lahey Clinic, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805, Mass General Hospital Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114, or Holyoke Health Care Center, 282 Cabot Street, Holyoke, MA 01040.

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