Joan Carol (Angers) Champagne

Joan Carol Champagne (née Angers) passed away on April 10, 2024, at CareOne in Northampton, MA, at the age of 84. She was born on July 3, 1939, in Holyoke, MA, to the late Roland and Elsie Angers. A lifelong advocate for people with disabilities, Joan was active with the Bureau for Exceptional Children from its founding and worked as paraprofessional in the Holyoke public schools for over 40 years providing educational support to students with severe autism and developmental disabilities. She took great pride in making a difference in the lives of those she served. In her free time, Joan sang with the George Burns Chorale, enjoyed crafting, and cherished spending time with friends and family. She was a passionate reader, and the little library in her front yard was a popular spot for neighbors to discover new books. Joan is survived by her sons Gerald (Maureen), Timothy (Kathleen), and John; grandchildren Jake (Jennifer), Mariah, Hayley, Skyler, Chance, and Simone; great-grandchildren Gage, Raiden, Julius, and Sophia; brothers John (Faye), James (Deborah); and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Gerald, daughter Susan, sister Donna, and brother Robert. A Visiting Hour will be held on Tuesday April 16 from 9:30 to 11:00am in Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home in Holyoke, MA. A prayer service will be held at 11:00am with burial to follow at Notre Dame Cemetery in South Hadley, MA. Memorial contributions may be made to Jericho (The Bureau for Exceptional Children and Adults) in Holyoke or to Autism Speaks.

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