Joan was born in Berlin, NH and grew up in Watertown, MA, where she graduated from Rosary Academy. She moved to Storrs, Connecticut in 1966 with her late husband Joe and their children and has been part of the UConn family ever since.

She attended Felt & Tarrant Business School in Boston, MA and Morse School of Business in Hartford, CT. specializing in computers.

Her professional resume includes working at UConn as a University Educational Assistant; Connecticut Mutual Life Ins. Co. as an Executive Assistant; Entex Information Services as the Area Administrator; Computer Software Specialist at a national chain of children's toy stores; Willington Town Treasurer.

Joan is an experienced volunteer helping with diverse projects and organizations including coordinating The United Way Raffle, the Hurricane Andrew victim's fund, the High School Band Trip to Israel and represented Connecticut Mutual as Hostess for the CML/UConn Classic Basketball Tournaments. Also, the American Cancer Society; the Nutmeg Summer Theatre; Windham High School Drama Club; Hall Memorial School pianist; CCD teacher; 4-H leader; PTO Vice-President; St Thomas Aquinas.

Joan has four children, 12 grandchildren and lives in Willington. She is an avid UConn Husky sports fan, enjoys computers, spending time with her family and has been a long time Parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas.