Joan M. DeCambra

Joan was born in England, one of nine children, and moved to the US at the age of 21 to marry her US Air Force sweetheart. She lived with her husband and daughter in Taunton, MA for a few years before settling in Somerset where she lived for the past 50 years. Joan loved to travel to the beautiful North Sea Shore in England to visit her family and friends.

Known for her compassion, Joan was the consummate caregiver. She worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for a nursing home and also devoted many years to caring for close relatives. She most recently helped with patient activities at Clifton Rehabilitation Nursing Center, befriending many patients, always offering help and bringing them presents.

Some of Joan’s favorite activities included gardening, watching Wheel of Fortune and playing games on her iPad. She loved to play Bingo and mingle with friends at the game. She volunteered by helping to run Bingo games at St. Joseph’s Church in Dighton, MA and Our Lady of Lourdes in Taunton, MA. Her husband and daughter lovingly teased her for always being “one number away”.

Joan simply wanted to be remembered as a good person who helped anyone she could. What an incredibly easy wish to fulfill. She will be remembered for that and much more.

Joan’s family wishes to express its deepest gratitude to the many friends and relatives who offered help and support during the course of her illness and her last days. A very special thank you to Karen Ponte for always being there to do “whatever we need” and to the incredibly skilled and compassionate team at the Somerset Ridge Center who helped guide Joan peacefully into the arms of the angels.

In addition to her husband, Joan is survived by her daughter Donna Tomposki and her husband Philip of Fall River; three sisters June Towner of Saratoga Springs, NY, Florence Smith of Taunton, MA and Rose Garcia of Corpus Christi, TX; two brothers Freddie and Michael Balls of Great Yarmouth, England and many nieces, nephews, Godchildren and friends in the US and England and by her lovebird Rocky.

Joan was also the sister of the late Jimmy, George and Derek Balls.

Her funeral will be held on Monday, November 24, 2014 at 9AM from the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME OF MEMORIAL TRIBUTE AT ROSE E. SULLIVAN 866 County St., Somerset, followed by her funeral mass at 10AM in St. Patrick’s Church 306 South St., Somerset. Visiting hours will be Sunday from 4 – 7PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in her honor may be made to the Salvation Army 290 Bedford Street, Fall River, MA 02722. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park, Middletown, RI. To send a tribute or for directions please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com