Joan M (Piekos) Giard, 97, of Narragansett, RI passed away peacefully on Monday May 31, 2021 at her residence. Born in Woonsocket, RI, Joan was a graduate of Woonsocket High School before moving to Bellingham, MA with her husband, the late Francis J. Giard, where she resided for most of her life.
Joan was well known in Bellingham as Secretary to the Bellingham Planning Board, Assistant Tax Collector (retiring in 1989), and Clerk at the Assumption Parish Rectory. As a member at the Bellingham Senior Center, she was a board member for the Council on Aging, as well as a volunteer for the Adult Day Care Center. She thoroughly enjoyed being a part of that community.
Joan was a loving mother and grandmother. She will be dearly missed by her daughters Candace Gonsalves of Lafayette, Colorado, Catherine Giard and Jane Giard of Narragansett, RI. She also leaves granddaughters Maria Gonsalves Schimpf (Peter) of Erie, CO, Victoria Cesino of San Diego, CA, Sydney Ortega of Danvers, MA, and grandsons Taylor Ortega (Amanda) of Grantham, NH, Justin Cesino of Providence, RI, and Trevor Ortega of Narragansett, RI. Additionally, she will be fondly remembered by her great grandchildren Kaliyah, Mateo, and Judah Schimpf as well as several nieces and nephews.
Joan was the last surviving sibling of the Piekos-Struzik family members, the predeceased Thaddeus Piekos, Stanley Piekos, Francis Struzik, Francis Piekos, Joseph Piekos, and Anne Piekos Dansereau.
Joan loved family more than anything else in her life. Her open-door policy invited friends, young and old, to frequently gather in her kitchen for a home-cooked Polish meal. She will always be remembered by her grandchildren for making the best Pierogis and has passed down the recipe for future generations to enjoy. She also looked forward to a competitive Canasta game at the Bellingham Senior Center and she maintained life-long friendships with her girlfriends from Elementary School. Joan always loved the beach, so her life truly came full-circle when she moved to Narragansett, RI to live by the ocean with her daughter Catherine.
A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday June 9, 2021 at 11 AM in St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, 174 Harris Ave. Woonsocket, RI 02895. Calling hours will be Tuesday June 8, 2021 from 5 - 7 PM at the Kubaska Funeral Home, 33 Harris Ave, Woonsocket, RI 02985. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to donate in honor of her memory can contribute to St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish 174 Harris Ave. Woonsocket, RI 02895 or the Bellingham Senior Center 40 Blackstone St. Bellingham, MA 02019.
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