Joan D. Fontaine

Joan D. (Blanchette) Fontaine, 86 of New Bedford, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, after a battle with dementia. She was the beloved wife of Raymond P. Fontaine, with whom she shared 65 years of marriage.

Born in New Bedford, she was the daughter of the late Joseph M. and Irene G. (Fagnant) Blanchette.

She was a graduate of Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational High School, class of 1957, later earned an associate’s degree from Bristol Community College in 1993 and worked as a Medical Lab Technician for 57 years at St. Luke’s Hospital.

Joan married the love of her life. They met at Lincoln Park where Ray worked and Joan roller skated competitively. She enjoyed hiking, skiing, gardening and traveling. Spending time with friends and family was very important to Joan. She especially loved her time with her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by many.

In addition to her husband, Raymond, are her loving children, Dana Stupalski and her husband Anthony of Acushnet, Scott Fontaine and his partner Janna Hungarter of Seattle, WA, Chris Fontaine and his wife Margie of St. Cloud, FL, and Erik Fontaine and his wife Shawnna of Dartmouth; a brother, Charles Blanchette of Marion; nine grandchildren, Zachary, Kaleb, and Kylie Stupalski, Lucy, Cassidy, Michael, Joelle, Crosby, and Rhys Fontaine; a great-grandchild, Camila Fontaine, and several nieces and nephews.

In-lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute www.dana-farber.org

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM in St. Gabriel the Archangel Church, 343 Tarkiln Hill Rd., New Bedford, MA 02745. Relatives and friends are invited. Burial will be private. To leave a note of condolence: www.rock-funeralhome.com.