Joan E. (DesRoches) Major

88, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 26. Born in Providence, RI, on June 18, 1936, she was a dedicated parent and grandparent, a fierce advocate and caregiver for the elderly, a devoted person of faith serving as an ordained cleric in the Catholic church, and an unwavering source of hope and help for her family and friends. Beginning in the late 1970s, she worked as a fiscal manager at Fatima Hospital in North Providence for over a decade, then as a chaplain for the Visiting Nurses of Pawtucket, from which she retired in the early 2000s.

Joan was the daughter of the late Clyde and Emily (Monaghan) DesRoches and sister of Carol (Vanwuyckhuyse) DesRoches of Clearwater, Florida, the late Robert DesRoches of Florida, and Sandra (Perrino) DesRoches of Elon, North Carolina. She is survived by her four children, Kenneth Major and his wife Darlene of Charlestown, Michael Major and his wife Sally of Peace Dale, Susan (Major) Martin and her husband David of Charlestown, and Bruce Major and his wife Milly of Myrtle Beach, North Carolina. She leaves behind eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. 

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, October 30th, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. in the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston, followed by her Funeral Home Service on Thursday, October 31st, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be held in Highland Memorial Park Cemetery, Johnston.