Joan Furtado Middleton

She is survived by her husband of 37 years, James M. Middleton, Jr.; two children David James Middleton and Amy Elizabeth Middleton; and her brother, Joseph M. Furtado.

After graduation from St. Catherine Academy in Newport, RI for high school, Joan Marie Furtado, entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, MA where she became Sister Angela Joseph and was a member of the community for nine years. During this time she earned a B.A. degree in English from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, MA and began her career as a dedicated teacher at Holyoke Catholic High School, Holyoke, MA.

As an educator for 45 years, Joan has touched countless lives. She went on to teach at Ravenscroft and Green Elementary Schools in Raleigh before entering her final role as "Magistra" Middleton, the beloved Latin teacher at Cary Christian School for the past 14 years, where she made Latin come alive for her "discipuli". She tenderly cared for and selflessly served over 1,000 students.

Very active in the Christian community, Joan prayed faithfully with Marijane’s weekly prayer group for 36 years. She has been a member of Triangle Community Church for the past 12 years and was a past member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, and Penny Road Church of the Nazarene.

On Saturday, June 8, the family will be receiving friends from 12:30-2:00 p.m., with a Celebration of Her Life service beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Triangle Community Church, 4216 Kildaire Farm Road, Apex, NC. A reception will follow the service at Cary Christian School, 1330 Old Apex Road, Cary, NC. Interment will follow at a later date in Saint Columba’s Cemetery in Middletown, RI.

Condolences may be sent to www.BrownWynneCary.com.