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Joan M. LaRocca, 70
June 05, 2023
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Joan (Bjornson) LaRocca, 70, passed away peacefully with family by her side on June 5, 2023.
Joan was born in Somerville, MA on September 15, 1952. A graduate of Malden Girls Catholic High School, she received a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University, a master’s degree in education from Lesley University, and a technology certificate from Marlboro College.
Joan worked as an administrative assistant at the WMNB radio station in North Adams. She then taught in the North Adams Public Schools for more than 30 years where she was beloved by her students and respected by her colleagues.
Joan was a devoted wife of husband Roger and a loving mother of her three children Elizabeth, Roger III (Alison), and Michael. She was a beloved grandmother of Roger IV and Rose, whose artwork adorns her kitchen walls. Joan was a loving sister to her siblings Mary Margaret, Barbara, Harold, and Michael.
Joan is survived by her husband Roger, her daughter Elizabeth, and her two sons Roger III, and Michael, as well as her two grandchildren Roger IV and Rose. She is also survived by her sisters, Mary Margaret Winter and Barbara Bjornson, and her brother Harold Bjornson. She was preceded in death by her parents Harold Bjornson, Sr. and Mary Bjornson, and her brother Michael Bjornson.
A Memorial Mass for Joan is scheduled for Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 12:00 PM at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, 70 Marshall St, North Adams, MA. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com
I was very sorry to hear of her passing. I worked with her for a short time. She was a very nice lady. | from: Lori parrino | on: 06-16-2023 |
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Dear Roger and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Time goes by too quickly. I loved working with Joan at Sullivan School. She had the best sense of humor and had a way of making me feel good whenever we had a chance to chat. | from: Barbara Tatten | on: 06-14-2023 |
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Roger and family, thinking of you and sending love. Joan shared her love with so many people, she will be missed, | from: Aldonna Girouard | on: 06-13-2023 |
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Roger, We are so sorry for the loss of your sweet Joan. She was a wonderful woman. | from: Linda and Jim Freeney | on: 06-13-2023 |
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We are so sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful teacher and beautiful person inside and out. | from: The DassattI Family | on: 06-11-2023 |
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Sorry to hear about your beloved wife and mother may she rest in peace and God be with you all
The McDonald's crew | from: Roger and family | on: 06-10-2023 |
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My deepest sympathy to your whole family. She was beautiful, inside and out
| from: Peggy Ciepiela | on: 06-09-2023 |
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Dear Liz, Mr. LaRocca, and family, I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. I remember your mom as a warm, kind person. My heart and thoughts are with you. | from: Cynthia Saunders Quiñones | on: 06-09-2023 |
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To Roger and family, We are all so sad to hear of Joan's passing. She was such a wonderful person. She was an amazing teacher and Steven and Colin loved her. Please extend our sympathy to the whole family.
Gloria, Chuck, Steven and Colin Felix | from: Gloria J Felix | on: 06-08-2023 |
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I was saddened to hear of Joan’s passing. She was a wonderful teacher and I enjoyed working with her.
Willie Gajda | from: | on: 06-08-2023 |
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Dear Roger, Liz, Roger and Michael, I am so very sorry to hear this very sad news. I send you love and strength for these difficult days ahead without your Joan! | from: Jean King | on: 06-08-2023 |
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Roger and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I just loved working with Joan, she was a special person and teacher. Sending my deepest sympathy and love.
Pat Willette | from: Patricia Bianco Willette | on: 06-08-2023 |
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Dear Roger & Family,
I was so saddened to hear of Joan's passing. She was a wonderful and lovely lady who will be missed by all who knew her. | from: Mary E Willey | on: 06-08-2023 |
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Roger, our heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family. We are so sorry for your loss.
| from: Ruth and Paul Goyette | on: 06-08-2023 |
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Liz & Mr. LaRocca, very sad to hear of Joan's passing. She was such a kind and generous person. The memories spent at your house as a child are highlighted by her warmth and caring nature. My deepest condolences to the entire family. | from: April Wright | on: 06-08-2023 |
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We are going to miss Joan so much and we're sending our love and thoughts to all of her family and friends. Joan always showed us lots of kindness and support, especially at our family holidays celebrations and during our wedding celebrations. We will always think of Joan and the memories we have together whenever we cook the recipes she shared with us. Rest in peace, Mrs. LaRocca. | from: Kathryn (Burgner) & Sean Fitzgerald | on: 06-08-2023 |
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I'm so sorry to hear of this passing. She was such a wonderful teacher and helped my son and one of my granddaughters so very much when they each had her. I will always hold her in my heart! I would like to express my deepest sympathy for her loss to all of her family and close friends. I hope you can find comfort in the memories you made with her. | from: Bonnie Spencer | on: 06-07-2023 |
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We are so saddened to hear of the passing of Joan. Loved working with her...she always made me feel special. Shared many laughs. Our sincerest sympathy to the entire LaRocca family. | from: Karen Lefave | on: 06-07-2023 |
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Roger, so very sorry to hear of Joan's passing. Condolences to you and your family. | from: Roberta Curran | on: 06-07-2023 |
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Roger so sorry to hear about your wife passing away. I send out my condolences to the whole family. I will keep her in prayer. She was a wonderful woman always had a smile on her face. I knew her when she worked at Sullivan School. | from: wendy linnean | on: 06-07-2023 |
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Roger,Liz,Roger III,Michael.... we are so sorry for your loss Joan was a wonderful person. Our thoughts are with you. | from: Don and Nancy Pecor | on: 06-07-2023 |
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Saddened by the passing of such a wonderful woman… my caring thoughts and prayers for her family~ | from: Cheryl Lefave | on: 06-07-2023 |
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Dear Roger, Elizabeth, Roger III, Michael and all the Family, I am so saddened to hear about Joan’s passing. She was a lovely lady and a wonderful teacher and friend. Please know that she is in my thoughts and prayers as are all of you. God Bless ??? | from: From Maryrose Calnan | on: 06-07-2023 |
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I am so sorry to hear of Joan’s passing. She was a wonderful women! I always enjoyed our conversations. May she rest in peace. Prayers of comfort sent to her family. | from: Maureen Moore | on: 06-07-2023 |
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Roger, It broke my heart to read of Joan's passing. It was such an honor to know her and call her a colleague. When she came to Sullivan I was lucky to have her as a partner in third grade. Everyday I was in awe of the lessons she created , with her, and not to mention how funny she was, not even realizing it. My heartfelt sympathy to you Roger, her children, and grandchildren.
??Kathy Atwood | from: Kathy Atwood | on: 06-07-2023 |
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Joan was the absolute best!!!! | from: Dina Poplaski | on: 06-07-2023 |
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I am so sorry for your loss. I remember Joan from my years working in the North Adams Schools. She was always smiling or laughing. She always had a kind word to say to those around her. | from: Jill Pompi | on: 06-07-2023 |
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To Liz, Mr. LaRocca, and the whole family: I am so sad to hear of Joan's passing and sorry for your loss. I have such happy memories of sleepovers at your house as a kid, including Joan's warmth and welcoming. Sending love to you all. | from: Kate Merrigan | on: 06-07-2023 |
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Roger, and Family, Sorry for your loss.
Francis Mastroianni | from: Joan M La Rocca | on: 06-07-2023 |
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Dear Roger and family, I am so sorry to hear of Joan's passing. She was an amazing teacher and I truly enjoyed working with her. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. | from: Kathy Gwozdz | on: 06-07-2023 |
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Roger and family, My heart goes out to you. Much love and hugs.
Tina Hutch | from: Tina Berti | on: 06-07-2023 |
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Dear Roger and family.... It is with sincere sympathy that I send my condolences to you. Joan was a lovely person and one that I could share a laugh with at school. I'm certain that she will be missed dearly. | from: Karen Gordon | on: 06-07-2023 |
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Roger,
I am sorry for your loss. God Bless you and your family | from: Tom Ostrander | on: 06-06-2023 |
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We will miss Joan so much. Our granddaughter Rose and grandson Roger loved spending time together just as we as we all did on the recent Memorial Day. Her daughter-in-law Alison LaRocca was also very special to Joan. We will miss her very much lovingly Gail and Tom Burgner and the whole Burgner Family | from: Gail Burgner | on: 06-06-2023 |
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So sorry for your loss. Joan was a true friend to Debbie and myself and will be immeasurably missed. | from: Jim Soha | on: 06-06-2023 |
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