Joan Seidman Drobnis

Joan Seidman Drobnis, of North Attleborough, entered into rest on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at the age of 71.

Joan was the beloved wife of Bruce A. Drobnis, with whom she shared 49 devoted years of marriage. She was a loving mother to Adam Drobnis and his wife Samantha Taylor, a cherished sister to Michael Seidman and his wife Nancy, Carol Seidman and her husband Ric Panciera, and a caring sister-in-law to Richard Drobnis and his wife Marjorie, and Michelle Caputo and her husband Angelo. She was also a proud and joyful grandmother-to-be, eagerly awaiting the arrival of her first grandson in January 2026.

Born in Boston, Joan was the eldest daughter of the late Eli and Judith Seidman. She grew up in Sharon and Milton, spending summers with her family at Nantasket Beach in Hull. It was there, as teenagers, that Joan first met Bruce. Their friendship grew into a lifelong love, and they were married in Brookline, Massachusetts in 1976. In July 1983, Joan and Bruce welcomed their son Adam, one of the greatest joys of Joan’s life.

Joan was an accomplished and passionate educator whose life’s work reflected her deep love of teaching and the Spanish language. She graduated from Milton High School in 1972 and went on to attend Brandeis University, where she graduated cum laude in 1976 with a major in Spanish and a minor in Education. During her time at Brandeis, Joan was awarded the Brandeis University Goldstein Prize as an Outstanding Spanish Scholar. She also earned International Certifications in Spanish awarded by the Ministry of Education of the Government of Spain.

Joan began her teaching career at St. Gregory’s High School in Dorchester, later teaching at Seekonk High School, before finding her professional home at Bishop Feehan High School in 1979. She taught Spanish there for more than 40 years, leaving a lasting impact on generations of students. During her tenure, Joan founded the Spanish Honors Society, expanded student participation in the National Spanish Exam and other national competitions, and created the Amigos language program, which paired Bishop Feehan students with middle school students learning English as a second language. She also organized and chaperoned numerous international student trips, including to Spain, Italy, and France, sharing her love of language and culture beyond the classroom.

Joan’s excellence in education was widely recognized. In 2002, she was named Teacher of the Year by both the City of Attleboro and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In 2003, she received the U.S. Presidential Scholar Program Teacher Recognition Award from the U.S. Department of Education. Most recently, in 2023, she was honored with the Sister Pat Harrington Hero of Catholic Education Award.

Above all, Joan was known for her warmth, humor, kindness, and selflessness. She loved reading, cooking, antiquing, and spoiling her beloved grand-dog, Brantley. She treasured summers on Cape Cod spent sailing, enjoying the beach, and sharing conversations with friends, neighbors, and family. A devoted wife and loving mother, Joan found her greatest fulfillment in nurturing those around her and celebrating the milestones and accomplishments of the people she loved.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 475 Washington Street, Canton, followed by interment at Sharon Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Joan’s memory may be donated to the American Cancer Society. www.cancer.org