Joan Therese Healey of Waterbury, passed away peacefully, after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving family and close friends, on August 1, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, Connecticut. Born in Waterbury on October 23, 1957, she was the daughter of the late Frank T. and Jane (Keliher) Healey. Joan graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Class of 1975, received a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Connecticut in 1979, and later earned her Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics at NYU. For 42 years, Joan worked as a registered dietitian at Danbury Hospital, where she was known for unwavering kindness and professionalism in her interactions with patients and coworkers.

Joan was an avid reader and enjoyed fitness classes several times a week with good friends at the YMCA of Waterbury. She spent many hours volunteering at CT Food Share in Wallingford. Joan had a passion for gathering friends and family for special occasions with extravagantly prepared meals, her favorite music (ranging from 40’s hits and polkas to classic rock), and beautiful décor. She was an accomplished host and cook whose warmth and generosity made every occasion memorable. Her family will fondly remember Joan’s enthusiasm for the family football pool, which she often won. She was a stylish dresser who had a knack for discovering hidden gems at TJMaxx. She spent many contented hours exploring clothing, jewelry and shoe racks, once famously shopping through a fire alarm and mall evacuation, completely unaware of the chaos around her.

Joan is survived by eight siblings, Elizabeth (John) Smith, Susan (Mark) Carrier, Anne Healey, Mary Cadman, Frank (Beth) Healey, Martha (Charles) Holden, Barbara (Michael) Plummer and Kate Healey. She is survived by her treasured nieces and nephews, who were her pride and joy: Suzanne Endruschat (Joe Dandrade), Dan (Ashley) Smith, Kate (Michael) Schirdewahn, Michael (Monica) Smith, Allison (John) Horan, Ashley (Matthew) Goodwin, Mark (Brenda) Carrier, Matthew (Jennifer) Carrier, Frank (Jenny) Cadman, Sam (Trang) Cadman, Emily Cadman (Evan Dorney), Frank Healey, Adam Healey, Elisabeth Holden (William Boatwright), Tom (Emily) Holden, Sara (George) Searle, Jane Plummer (Matthew O’Connor), Abby Plummer, and Michael Plummer (Julia DeVine); great nieces and nephews, Iggy Dandrade, Maggie Dandrade, Ace Smith, Allie Schirdewahn, Jack Schirdewahn, Cameron Smith, Jack Horan, Finn Horan, Haylie Carrier, Ryan Carrier, Madelyn Goodwin, Bailey Goodwin, Penny Dorney, Eleanor Boatwright, Molly Holden, Lucy Holden, and Graham Searle, as well as many cousins and her aunt Judy Healey. She leaves behind a beloved friend, Justin Golden. Joan was predeceased by her brother-in-law Fred Cadman and her great niece Nora Schirdewahn.

Joan’s family is grateful to her caregivers, Dr. Annie Ong, Dr. Consuelito Medrano, and the staff at VITAS, St. Mary’s Hospital, for their compassionate care.

A funeral Mass will be held on August 15, at 10:00 am, at Our Lady of Loreto Church in Waterbury. Burial will be Private at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Literacy Volunteers of Greater Waterbury c/o Silas Bronson Library, 267 Grand Street, Waterbury, CT 06702, or St. Vincent de Paul Mission of Waterbury, 34 Willow Street, Waterbury, CT 06710.