Joan Mary Noga Pazdon, 75, of Auburn, NH passed away on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
Born April 28, 1950, in Manchester, to Frank and Helen (Pasieka) Noga, Joan was a lifelong resident of greater Manchester. She attended Youngsville School, graduated from Manchester Memorial High School, and earned degrees from the University of New Hampshire and Simmons College.
Joan was a dedicated Family and Consumer Science, formerly Home Economics, teacher at Manchester High School Central for forty years. She inspired and educated thousands of students, instilling not only practical skills but also a love of cooking, baking, sewing, and even architecture and design.
Intensely proud of her Polish heritage, Joan preserved and passed on many cherished traditions to her son Andrew, nephew James, and, more recently, her grandson Max, as well as friends and neighbors – from the Christmas Eve Wigilia meal to intricate, handmade pisanki Easter eggs, she kept culture alive at her kitchen table.
She was a committed life-long parishioner of Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Polish National Catholic Church, including a member of the choir and a dependable “pierogi lady,” helping to make all of the pierogi for the annual Christmas fair.
An avid gardener, she nurtured flowers, herbs, and vegetables—often starting seedlings in winter so that she could create truly home-made meals through the summer and fall.
Joan blended an adventurous spirit with a deep commitment to her community. Her adventures with her family and friends took her extensively throughout Europe, the Americas, and India. But New Hampshire was always her home, and she worked to preserve its heritage as a dedicated Corporator for her beloved Canterbury Shaker Village.
She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Walter; son Andrew, his wife Cara, and grandson Max of London, England; sister Dr. Nancy Beaurivage and her husband Robert of Auburn, NH; and nephew James Beaurivage and his partner Cesar of Naples, FL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Canterbury Shaker Village or a charity of your choice.
Calling hours will be Friday September 19th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Lambert Funeral Home, 1799 Elm St. Manchester, NH 03104. A funeral mass will be held at Holy Trinity Cathedral, 166 Pearl St. Manchester, NH 03104, on Saturday, September 20th at 10:00am. Burial to follow at Holy Trinity Cemetery, 320 Goffstown Back Rd, Goffstown, NH 03045
Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory
Holy Trinity Cathedral
Holy Trinity Cemetery
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