Joan Carol Hammeal

Joan Carol Tamaccio Hammeal, 91 of Branford, Connecticut, formerly of Hamden and Clinton, died peacefully surrounded by love and family on January 7, 2024. She was predeceased by Bob, her beloved husband of 66 years. Her photo is from their 50th wedding anniversary celebration.

Joan was born in Hartford, Connecticut to George and Helen Emley Tamaccio on February 11, 1932. She was the oldest and only daughter of three. Raised in West Hartford, she was a good student and an accomplished pianist. In August of 1950 she was named Miss West Hartford, highlighting her piano talent and natural beauty. In 1954 she graduated from Smith College after traveling on the QEII to Geneva, Switzerland for her junior year abroad.

Joan and Bob married in September 1954. They raised their four daughters, adored their seven grandchildren and were blessed with five great grandchildren. Joan LOVED hosting family and friends at their beach house in Clinton and at their home in Hamden. She made Sunday dinners, birthdays, and holidays over the top special. She made Christmas magical.

Joan was an accomplished visual artist, working in fiber and paint across eight decades. She won numerous awards and was an active member in many art organizations, including New Haven Paint and Clay, Hamden Art League, and the Guilford, Madison, and Clinton Art Societies. She leaves an abundance of artwork, which grace the walls of family, friends, collectors, and admirers.

She had a lifelong appreciation of music. She and Bob had countless subscriptions to both symphonic and chamber music. Bob attributed his appreciation for music to her great influence, and Joan grew to enjoy hockey because of his love of the sport.

In her youth, Joan belonged to the First Church of Christ Congregational in West Hartford, where she was married. She was a member of the Mount Carmel Congregational Church in Hamden from 1960 until her passing. Joan served on almost every committee and board within the church. Her “Seasons of the Church” paintings still hang in the front of the church at the appropriate times of year.

Joan was a devoted daughter and granddaughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor and friend. She was a dedicated artist. Her dedication to her yoga practice continued well into her 80s, inspiring many.

Joan worked hard at the things she loved and she loved doing things well. She was a mighty combination of love and will. Those who were blessed to know her can attest to her strong and loving spirit.

Joan leaves behind four daughters, Robin (Ralph) Hammeal–Urban of Marlborough, Lauren, Hammeal of Essex, Lisa (Kurt) Uihlein of Branford and Helen (Cliff) McGuigan of Westbrook, seven grandchildren Jason (Kasia) Cannan of Ivoryton, Tim Hammeal of Colorado, Colin Urban (fiancé Ellen) of St. Albans, Vermont, Ben (Adriana) Uihlein of Madison, Nick Uihlein of New Haven, Kelsey (Joshua) Jeffery of West Columbia, South Carolina, and Molly (David) Czako of Canton. Joan also leaves five great-grandchildren, Ava and Grayson Cannan of Ivoryton and Jonny, Kennedy and Joey Uihlein of Madison. She also leaves her brother Mark (Jane) Tamaccio of Manchester and her sister-in-law, Barbara Tamaccio of Melbourne, Florida. Besides her husband and parents, Joan was predeceased by her brother David Tamaccio.

Joan’s family wishes to thank the many kind caregivers who made the last chapter of Joan’s life warm, comfortable and entertaining, especially Masani Young, Courtney Pollard, Sutanya Gohagen from Homewatch Caregivers, and the amazing staff at Artis Senior Living in Branford, most especially Gina Giglio and Wayne Sala.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Chestnut Hill Concerts, PO Box 183 Guilford, CT 06437

A celebration of Joan’s life will be held on Saturday, February 24 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Carmel Congregational Church, 3284 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518, reception to follow.