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Joanne Patchell Hurley, 79 of Wethersfield beloved wife of Philip D. Hurley entered into eternal peace at home on Wednesday, June 27th after a 9 year battle with Lewy Body Dementia. Joanne was born in Hartford on July 29, 1938. She was the daughter of Lindsay Patchell and Elizabeth (Keegan) Patchell. She attended Bulkeley High School and graduated in 1956. After high school Joanne worked as a clerk for the State of CT where she met and married the love of her life on February 27, 1960. Together they were known as “JoTidge”. Joanne and Tidge, then moved to Wethersfield and started a family. She resided in Wethersfield for 54 years.
As a girl Joanne spent her summers in Wytopitlock, Maine where her mother and father grew up. Later in life she spent summers with Tidge and her children at the Fagan House in Old Lyme. She also enjoyed summers in Misquamicut and New Hampshire and continued to spend her winter and summer vacations in Maine.
Joanne was very active in the Wethersfield Community. She was a Cub Scout Den mother (Pack 246) for many years, Kindergarten aid, member of the Red Hat Society, and regularly attended exercise classes at the Community Center. She was an avid gardener. She loved to collect Hallmark ornaments, Hummel figurines and many other things. All her grandchildren and children have at least one ornament! We used to say “you could shop in her basement!” Joanne and her daughter and daughter in laws spent many hours at craft fairs. She loved to decorate her house for every holiday! And we mean every holiday! From flags to figurines to trees, there wasn’t a square inch not decorated! She hosted all the birthday’s and Friday night pizza for many years! Joanne and Tidge loved to dance! She and Tidge could be seen on the dance floor at every wedding and event. The Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade was a major holiday in the Hurley household and the Hurley’s could be found on Capital Avenue in front of First Presbyterian Church next to the Bushnell all decked out (then of course onto Shannon’s and the Maple Café)! There were many trips to Saratoga and a cross country trip in an RV with her sister Faye and her husband Myron after Tidge retired.
Joanne Adored her 7 grandchildren and spent time playing with them all, especially legos and puzzles.
She was a devoted caregiver to her husband for 14 years, caring for him at home until the end.
Joanne will fondly be remembered by her family: son, Michael Hurley and his wife Carol Garvey-Hurley of Wethersfield, daughter Lynne Boucher and husband Ray of Morristown, NJ, daughter in law Sharon Zalcman and husband Barry of Glastonbury, sister Faye Hart and husband Myron of Pittsfield, ME., sister in law Kathleen Hurley of Newington, seven grandchildren, Mike Hurley of Newington, Bridget, Patrick and Brennan Hurley of Wethersfield, Danny and Lindsay Boucher of Morristown, NJ and Katie Hurley of Glastonbury and also many nieces and nephews and extended family. Besides her husband, Joanne was predeceased by her beloved son Philip L. Hurley, nephew Jimmy Hurley, sister in law Carol Hurley and brother in law James V. Hurley, Sr.
Joanne was a long time and devout parishioner of Corpus Christi Church. Joanne went to church every day during Lent until she could no longer attend.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, June 29, 2018 from 4 – 7pm at Farley Sullivan on 34 Beaver Road, Wethersfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Corpus Christi Church of Christ the King Parish, 601 Silas Deane Hwy, Wethersfield, on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at 10am. Interment will be in the family plot at Village Cemetery, Marsh Street, Old Wethersfield. Memorial donations may be made to Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Rd., SW, Lilburn, GA 30047. For further information, or to extend online condolences, please visit Farleysullivan.com.