Joan M. Douglass

August 19, 1933 — September 23, 2022

BENNINGTON-

Joan Murphy Douglass, 89, a resident of Bennington, Vermont passed away on September 23rd, 2022 at her residence.

Born August 19, 1933 at Putnam Memorial Hospital in Bennington, Vermont to Thomas and Lillian (Kelson) Murphy, Joan was the 10th of 13 children. The Murphy children were raised in Old Bennington, growing up in the former St. Francis de Sales rectory, now the site of Monument Elementary. Joan attended St. Francis parochial school and graduated from Bennington High School in 1951. She attended St. Joseph's Business School and graduated with an Associate Degree in Bookkeeping.

Joan met the love of her life, Francis A. Douglass, Jr. through a mutual friend. Joan and Frannie were married on October 1st 1955 at St. Francis de Sales. They had four children: Christopher, Laurie, Timothy and Mark.

Joan was a hard worker all of her life, working in daycare in Old Bennington, then as a ticket taker at General Stark Theater, and then as a bookkeeper at Benmont Paper. She was a homemaker when her children were young and began working as a substitute teacher for local schools in the 1970s. Her favorite job though, was her 44 years at Bennington Free Library, from which she retired at 83 years young.

In her "free time", Joan was a religious educator; she served on the parish council and organized the annual parish fair at St. Francis de Sales. Joan also enjoyed traveling to visit and vacation with family across the continental United States and Canada.

Joan is predeceased by her husband Frannie, son Timothy, brothers Thomas, Joseph, Patrick and Leo and her sisters Margaret, Catherine, Mary Frances, Ann, Lena, Olga and Agnes.

She is survived by her sister Barbara Molloy of Bennington, Vermont, her children Christopher and Rhonda Douglass of Pompano Beach, Florida, Laurie and David Bates of Cambridge, New York, Wendy Douglass of Peterborough, New Hampshire, and Mark and Beverly Douglass of North Hoosick, New York. Joan is the beloved grandmother to Sarah (RJ) Worboys, Matthew Douglass (Jessica), Alexandria Douglass (Andrew), Heather (Zachary) Huntley, Noah Bates, Jessica Douglass (Jeff), Meaghan (Vinny) Messina, Zachary Bates (Allison), Amanda (Andre) Fernandez and Erin Douglass (Kyle). She is Great-Grandmother to Veda Worboys, Reese Douglass, Taylor Wol, Maxwell Worboys, Evelyn Messina and Leo James Fernandez. She leaves behind many nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins and friends.

Friends are invited to call at the Mahar and Son Funeral Home on October 15th, 2022 from 10-11am.
A funeral mass for Joan will be held on October 15, 2022 at Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales Church at 11:00am. The burial will follow in the family lot at the Old Catholic Cemetery in Old Bennington.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joan's name to the Bennington Free Library through the office of the Mahar and Son Funeral Home 628 Main St. Bennington, VT 05201.

Online guestbook condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net

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Joan M. Douglass

August 19, 1933 — September 23, 2022

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