Joan F. McGaunn

Joan Frances (Sullivan) McGaunn, of Manchester, died on February 16, 2021, at Villa Crest Nursing Home after a period of declining health. She was 85.

She was born in Lowell, MA on March 10, 1935 to the late John and Mary (Kelly) Sullivan.

Joan graduated from Saint Patrick School in 1952 where she served as class secretary. She went on to earn an Associate's Degree in Business Administration from Merrimack College. After briefly working as a secretary at Lowell Technical College, she married her life-long partner, Lowell-native, Paul McGaunn. The two wed in 1956.

Joan began her career as a homemaker and mother in Hampton before moving to Manchester where she and Paul dedicated their lives to raising their five children. Joan took extreme pride in her home and family, loved to decorate for holidays, organize birthday parties, and take family photos. She attended the sporting events and school activities of her family with unmatched devotion and inspired many with her fierce competitive spirit and energy.

She was a member of the Elliot Hospital Associates for 55 years and volunteered many hours delivering flowers and working at the information desk. Joan was instrumental in keeping her high school class connected with annual luncheons and newsletters. "Nana" also functioned as the family information site. She was always interested in the lives of all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and somehow managed to keep all the details straight. Her determination and ability to keep her family together will surely be missed.

Joan is survived by her children, Lisa Day and her long-time companion, Harry Dimos of Manchester, Julie Chani and her husband, Christopher, of Hillsborough, Paul R. McGaunn, Jr. and Susan Nakos and her husband, Mark, all of Manchester and Jon McGaunn, and his wife, Tamara, of Naples, FL; grandchildren, Ryan Day, and his wife, Nina, of Delaware, OH, Christopher Day and his wife, Bria, of Hampton, Timothy Day, and his wife, Monique, of Andover, MA, Scott Partan of Eagle, CO, Dr. Matthew Partan and his long-time companion, Lauren Palmer, of Long Island, NY, Kellie Partan of Manchester, J.P. and Hannah McGaunn of Naples, FL and Peter and Maxwell Nakos of Manchester; step grandchildren, Garret Chani of Somerville, MA and Alyssa and Mike McAndrew of Hillsborough; great grandchildren, Ryan Jr., Grace, and Ourania Day of Delaware, OH, Lussiette, Lincoln, Layla and Leo Day of Andover, MA, Jackson, Kennedy and Harrison Day of Hampton, Mikey and Penelope McAndrew of Hillsborough and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband, Paul McGaunn Sr.; sisters, Mary Ester Sullivan, Mabel Buckley, Myrtle Shay and Anne Vigneault; brothers, Duncan, Robert, Russell, and Arthur Sullivan and her son-in-law, Raymond J. Day.

The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to the staffs of Birch Hill and Villa Crest Retirement Communities for their compassionate and professional care.

SERVICES: There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday (2/20) at 11 a.m. at St. Catherine Church, 267 Webster St., Manchester. Committal prayers will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, Calef Road, Manchester.

Donations in Joan's memory may be made to Birch Hill Retirement Community, 100 Alliance Way, Manchester, NH 03102.

Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, Manchester is assisting the family with arrangements.