Joan G. Romanowski of Lynn died after a brief illness on Monday, November 2, 2026, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House, surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife of the late Edmund J. Romanowski, with whom she shared 67 years of marriage. She was the daughter of the late Burton and Agnes (Mara) Carroll. Joan lived her entire life in Lynn and graduated from St. Mary’s Girls High School in 1951.
Joan was a loving and devoted mother who raised six children. She participated in many social activities through the St. Joseph Parish Sodality, Boy Scouts, and various church activities. After her children were grown, Joan began a career as a banquet waitress at Ferncroft Properties in Danvers, a job she loved and continued for nearly 40 years, retiring at the age of 80.
During her time at Ferncroft, her coworkers became lifelong friends, sharing in family milestone celebrations and traveling together. After retirement, Joan and Edmund spent many summers with family and friends at Swains Lake in Barrington. Joan loved to entertain; her home was always open, and she offered warm hospitality on every occasion.
She is survived by her four sons: Paul and his wife, Mary, John and his wife, Pam, David, and Peter and his wife, Karin, eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, a niece and a nephew, and her extended family, Victor and Marielys Lantigua and their daughter, Alahia. She was predeceased by her daughter, Janet M., and her son, Stephen E.
A visitation will be held in the Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, 157 Maple St., Lynn, on Tuesday, November 10, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in the Saint Mary Church, 8 South Common St., at 10:30 a.m. Burial will immediately follow the Mass at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 134 Broadway St.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joan’s name may be made to Care Dimensions (Kaplan House), 75 Sylvan Street, B-102, Danvers, MA 01923, where she received such incredible care.
