Joan M. Mitchell

Joan Marie (Dowling) Mitchell, age 90, a long-time resident of Burlington, died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, June 29, 2024. She was the beloved wife of the late Charles F. Mitchell, until his passing in 2011.

She was born in Melrose on August 22, 1933 and was the daughter of the late Patricia M. (Powers) and John R. Dowling. Joan was raised and educated in Malden, where she graduated from Girls Catholic High School. She was employed as a cashier for Bradlee’s, for 27 years, from the day they opened until the day they closed, where she made lasting friendships with Tura and Joyce.

Her unconditional love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was immeasurable. She treasured memories of trips with her sisters and family. Joan was an avid reader of murder mysteries and best-selling novels. She was rarely satisfied with just one game of Scrabble or the card game Rummy and her friends and family always obliged her in this pleasure. This sharp-witted lady with the purple streak in her hair was a lover of all things red, white and blue.

Joan is survived by her three daughters, Cheryl Manahan and her partner, Len Wagner of Tyngsboro, Patricia Nyholm of Concord and Nancy Coleman and her husband, Jeffrey of North Reading; her nine grandchildren, Katie Manahan, Mike Manahan, Jr. and his wife, Jenn, Karyn Nyholm, Kathie Levine and her husband, Zeb, Kristen Nyholm and her husband, Selcuk, Karolyn, Karl and Kandyce Nyholm and Grace Coleman; her two great-grandsons, Mikey III and Tate; her son-in-law, Michael Manahan, Sr. of Dunstable; her brother, John Dowling, Jr. and his wife, Betsy; her sister-in-law, Nancy Kelly; her neighbors since the start in 1968, the Lemmo’s and in more recent decades, the Hanley’s; as well as many other dear nieces, nephews, family and friends.

She is the sister of the late Patricia Howard and her husband, David and Virginia Slide, the sister-in-law of the late Richard Kelly and her closest childhood friends, Ann Barry, Mary Mahoney and Shirley Trecartin, all whom she missed deeply and looked forward to being reunited with.

Relatives and friends are invited to Joan’s Life Celebration on Sunday, July 7, 2024 from 3 until 6 PM at the McKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 10 AM in St. Veronica Parish, St. Malachy’s Church, Burlington. Burial to follow in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.