Joan C. McLaughlin

We regret to announce the passing of Joan Clark McLaughlin, 90, of Danbury, CT on January 12, 2023. Joan passed with her loving husband John by her side. Joan is survived by her husband John J. McLaughlin, and her 6 children: John McLaughlin (Terri), Kristin McCarthy (Paul), Stacie McLaughlin, Stephen McLaughlin (Dawn), Douglas McLaughlin (Sarah), Kelly Jonelis (James), as well as 16 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joan was born in Yeadon, Pennsylvania on May 24, 1932. She was an avid horse rider and jumper, did some modeling as a child and young adult, and worked at General Accident Insurance, where she met the love of her life, John, when they sang together in the Choral Society. They married September 17, 1955 and she followed him from Philadelphia to Boston, then Los Angeles, and finally put down roots for good in Danbury, Connecticut. Together they raised their six children.

While raising her children, she worked as a waitress at the El Dorado, worked night shifts at Dunkin’ Donuts, worked at Northside Animal Hospital and Stony Hill Pet Center, where she eventually became the owner. Alongside that, she chauffeured her kids to multiple different activities, was a catechist at Saint Joseph’s in Danbury, was a 4-H troop leader, was a member of the Conservation Committee and the Environmental Impact Committee. She was President of the business women’s league at the Bowlarama, where she was awarded the lowest score bowler every year, which she proudly owned. If there had been an award for sociability, she would have won that as well, since she spent most of her time visiting and talking with the other bowlers.

She was an amazing seamstress, making the three wedding gowns for her daughter’s weddings, numerous dresses and outfits for her children, grandchildren and others that needed assistance. She’s made quilts and dolls for her children and grandchildren. She learned to crochet and knit in her later years, and made afghans for all her children. She loved the New York Yankees and was a huge fan of Jeter and Judge. She loved the color pink, and her favorite accessory was a large pink pig pocketbook, which often caught the attention of many whether she was at a wedding or helping college kids sneak snacks out of the dining hall on parents weekend. She was a talented artist, often sketching her own designs and paintings on canvas.

She was a lover of all animals and was a wildlife conservator, assisting with raccoons, possums, squirrels, rabbits, and passed on many of these skills to her children. Her house was always full of a menagerie of animals, whether it be reptiles, birds, dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils. You name it, they probably spent some time at the house.

She loved her family most of all and this was demonstrated in her wonderful cooking and baking for family events. She decorated the house for all the various holidays and Christmas and birthdays were celebrated with wonderful food and goodies. She loved the chaos of the large family all getting together sitting in one large room for Christmas, which prior to Covid, she held the weekend before Christmas so everyone would be able to attend. Joan was a spark in the room, full of life, pretty in pink, and will be missed dearly by family and friends.

The family will receive friends at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury on Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 11:00am to 1:00 pm. A prayer service will take place at 1:00pm with the Rev. John Parille, pastor of the Bethel United Methodist Church, officiating.

To leave a message of condolence for the McLaughlin family please visit

www.thegreenfuneralhome.com.