Joan C. Mello

Born in Poughkeepsie, New York, Joan was the daughter of the late Peter T. and Gladys (Dziegelewski) Samon and step-daughter of Athlyn Samon. She had resided in Dartmouth before settling in New Bedford over 40 years ago.

A 1956 graduate of Dartmouth High School, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from U-Mass Amherst and later worked as a Special Education Assistant at the Kennedy Donovan Center.

Joan was a talented and passionate knitter who, not only shared her hand made items with family and friends, but also donated them to those in need. She enjoyed teaching her crafts to her granddaughters. Joan also enjoyed reading great books, spending time at the beach, as well as any time spent with family.

She is survived by her children, Mark Mello and his wife Carol of Warwick, RI, Lisa Melo and her husband Paul of Acushnet, Kevin Mello and his wife Amy of Mattapoisett, and Janis Gonsalves and her husband Daniel of Hudson, NH; a brother, Peter Samon and his wife Sue of Manchester, NH; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews including US Army Major Jeff Samon and his wife Lorelei, and his brother Scott, as well as cousins in New York and Maryland.

Her wake will be at Waring-Sullivan in Dartmouth, MA on Friday May 13th from 5-8 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be held at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, May 14th at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 230 Bonney St., New Bedford.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Shepherd’s Food Pantry, PO Box 760, Fairhaven, MA 02719.

For online tributes please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com