Joan D. (Pickard) Vigeant

Joan D. (Pickard) Vigeant … loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother

LOWELL - Joan D. (Pickard) Vigeant, 96, a woman that lived her live with grace, kindness, optimism, and humor. She resided in the Highlands until 2000 then moved to the Pawtucketville section of Lowell. She passed away on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, with her loving family by her side. She was the beloved wife of the late Roger A. Vigeant.

Born in Melbourne, Australia on April 1, 1925, she was a daughter of the late Robert and Nellie (Walker) Pickard. Sadly, as a small child her mother died and she and her only sibling, Keith Pickard, were moved to England to be raised by their paternal grandmother.

Joan grew up in war torn Great Britain and spent nights sleeping in an air raid shelter with her Grandma, brother and neighbors. Their home was severely damaged in the bombing known as the Coventry Blitz. As soon as she was of age she joined and served with the Royal Air Force during World War II as a barrage balloon operator and later a flight mechanic. It was in England where she met her husband Roger, who was serving as a medic for the United States Army. They married on April 14, 1945. In May of 1946 she sailed, with other "war brides", upon the Queen Mary with their first-born son, Robert, one of five children they raised and enjoyed 47 years of marriage until Roger's passing in August of 1992.

Besides being an impeccable wife, housekeeper, and mother, she loved her dogs and all things outdoors. Until the age of 88, she could often be found walking her neighborhood and hiking the Lowell/Dracut State forest with dogs in tow. She loved keeping busy earning her the moniker of the Energizer Bunny and kept her yard beautiful, mowing the lawn until she was 91!

Joan worked as a salesperson in the hardware and paint departments at the former Sears-Roebuck Company on Plain Street in Lowell from 1962 until her retirement in 1985. She loved her job and co-workers at Sears. Customers would often insist that the lady with the English accent assist them. For some time she was a communicant of St. Margaret of Scotland Church in the Lowell Highlands section and then at Notre Dame de Lourdes where she volunteered on the Liturgy Committee and Asian Center caring for children.

She leaves three children and their spouses, Paul and Judy Vigeant of San Jose, CA, Keith and Janet Vigeant of Derry, NH and Donna and Rick Moakley of Lowell; her late son Robert's wife and her dear friend, Mary Vigeant of Lowell: 15 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren. Joan was predeceased by her son, Robert Vigeant, her daughter, Janet Gordon, her brother, Keith Pickard and two grandsons John Vigeant and Joshua Vigeant.

Joan's services will be private. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery in Chelmsford. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan's name may be made to: The Open Food Pantry of Greater Lowell, 13 Hurd Street, Lowell, MA 01852 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the MCKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell. For directions or condolences, please visit www.mckennaouellette.com.