Joan Marie Futtner

Joan M. (Garrity) Futtner, 78, of East Hartford, loving and devoted wife of over 58 years of James J. Futtner, passed peacefully surrounded by her cherished family on Friday, January 24, 2020 at St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center, Hartford. Born in Hartford on September 13, 1941, a daughter of the late George and Blanche (Laroche) Garrity, she had been a resident of East Hartford for most of her life. Joan was a graduate of East Hartford High School, Class of 1959. Joan got married at age 19 and proudly became a dedicated Navy wife while Jim served in the United States Navy. She never complained about raising their three children while Jim was away on assignment and at sea for many months at a time during his naval career. Upon Jim’s retirement, they moved back and settled in East Hartford.

A devout Catholic, Joan was a secretary and receptionist at St. Rose Church in East Hartford and St. Bridget’s School in Manchester. She later worked a job that she truly loved for fifteen years as the secretary and receptionist for Dr. Sukwant Sethi, M.D. in East Hartford prior to her retirement. A talented painter, Joan enjoyed painting pictures for her family and friends to have. She also enjoyed camping, and traveling, especially to many military reunions with her beloved Jim. Most of all, Joan will be remembered by those who knew her as a loving wife, mother, grandmother “Bamma”, great-grandmother, aunt, and dear friend who made delicious peanut butter bars and blueberry squares.

In addition to her husband Jim, Joan is survived by her three special children: son, Henry J. Futtner and his wife, Linda, of East Hartford; daughter, Catherine A. Downs and her husband, Kevin, of Coventry; son, Jeffrey J. Futtner and his wife, Lisa, of South Windsor; her eight grandchildren whom she was beyond proud of and loved very much: Kelly Kehoe and her husband, John, of Manchester, Allison Futtner of Seattle, WA, Brian Futtner and his fiancée, Stephanie Leon, of Newington, Courtney Downs of Cromwell, Ashley Downs of Manchester, Lauren Futtner of Randolph, VT, Jennifer Futtner of South Windsor, and Steven Futtner of South Windsor; and the lights of her life, her two great-grandchildren: Declan and Nora Kehoe both of Manchester. She also leaves a brother, Dennis Garrity and his wife, Joan, of Chaplin; many adored nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins, and dear friends who were all very special to her.

Funeral service will be Thursday (January 30, 2020) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Peace Church of St. Edmund Campion Parish, 370 May Road, East Hartford. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Thursday morning. Burial will follow at Silver Lane Cemetery-Veteran’s Memorial Field, East Hartford. Joan’s family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday (January 29, 2020) from 3 – 7 pm at the D’ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. In lieu of flowers, her family has requested that you consider making memorial donations in Joan’s name to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. Joan’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Congestive Heart Inpatient Unit @ St. Francis Hospital, and the nurses and therapists of the Visiting Nurse Health Services of CT in Vernon for their professionalism, excellent care, love, and compassion given to Joan and her entire family during her illness. For any on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopoeh.com.