Joan R. Garcia

Joan Rita (Castonguay) Garcia, 88, passed away on December 30, 2009 at the Palms Nursing Center in Palm Bay, Florida after a long illness. Joan was born in Nashua, NH, but lived most of her life in Hudson, MA before moving to Cape Canaveral, FL. She was married to James Garcia for 56 years. Mrs. Garcia worked for the W.T.Grant Company in the 1950s and 60s, and was manager of the Hudson store until retiring in 1968. She later worked at the Maynard Country Club until 1982. In Hudson, Joan was a member of Christ the King Parish and later St. Michael's Parish. She shared her beautiful soprano voice at both churches as a choir member and as soloist at many weddings and funerals. In Florida, she was a parishioner of Our Savior's Church in Cocoa Beach. Besides singing, Mrs. Garcia loved to walk miles every day, play golf, read, and do crossword puzzles. Joan was preceded in death by her husband, James, her parents, Charles and Amanda Castonguay and her sister, Dorothy Janusis. She will be sadly missed by her three daughters, Joan Bobka of West Melbourne, FL, Susan Donovan of Hudson, MA, Andrea Garcia of Clinton, MA, her twelve grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and two nephews. No calling hours are scheduled. A memorial service will be held in Hudson at a later date. Arrangements in Florida will be handled by Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home. In Joan's memory donations may be made to Creative Care Center, Adult Day Care Program, 300 No. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. Special thanks to the nurses and staff at The Palms Nursing Center for their loving care and for keeping the spark of music and dancing alive in her as long as possible. Also thanks to the Creative Day Care Center in Cocoa Beach, the Smiles and Special Day Care Home in Merritt Island, and to Vitas Hospice Care.