Joan Fitzpatrick Donegan

She was born March 8, 1944 in Gardner, Massachusetts, the daughter of William and Edith (Hamalainen) Fitzpatrick. She grew up in Gardner, and at the age of three met her future husband Dennis. The two were a couple while at Gardner High School, and following her graduation in 1962, she lived in Boston, MA as Dennis completed his engineering degree at Wentworth Institute of Technology.

On August 29th, 1964, she and Dennis were married in Gardner, MA, and when Dennis was hired by Kingsbury Machine Tool Corporation in 1967, shortly thereafter the two moved to a house on Chapman Road in Keene where they made their home for the rest of her life.

Joan worked as an executive secretary for ten years at American Optical, until her son Niles was born. After several years, Joan became a real estate agent, and was a charter member of Brown & Tent Realtors. She enjoyed working with her clients, many of whom became close friends. She retired from the company after thirty years in the business.

Joan loved her friends—they truly were her extended family. She and Dennis enjoyed hosting parties at their home, as well as vacationing with friends and family in Maine, Canada and the Caribbean. She loved to play tennis and go on yearly boisterous ski trips with “the girls,” her closest friends. They traveled to various resorts in Vermont and New Hampshire, spending countless hours together, and sometimes even skiing. She enjoyed working in her flower gardens and took great pride in the arbor landscapes in her yard. Joan also had a special place in her heart for the cats that shared her company throughout the years.

She is survived by her husband Dennis A. Donegan of Keene, her son Niles P. Donegan and his wife Rachel of Lyme, NH and beloved daughter Maeve, with whom Joan had a special bond. She is also survived by two brothers-in-law: Robert Donegan and his wife Marilyn of Conway, SC and Neil Donegan and his wife June of Mebane, NC (formerly of Keene, NH) and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Her life will be celebrated at a gathering at Papagallos Restaurant at 9 Monadnock Highway, Keene, NH on Wednesday, March 26th, from 1-4 pm. All her friends, family and those who loved her are welcome to attend and share pictures and stories of her life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Monadnock Humane Society, 101 West Swanzey Road, West Swanzey, NH, 03446, or to the charity of one’s choice.