Joan A. Thimson Burns, 88, of Middletown, a former longtime resident of North Haven, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 11th, 2020 at her daughter’s home in Wethersfield surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph B. Burns.
Joan Ann Thimson was born on August 9, 1931 in Brooklyn NY to Dagmar Hanson and Frank Thimson. She grew up on Church St. with her sister Doris and their widowed mother, who was deaf and mute, communicating only in gestures and sign language. They lived with an extended family, including her dear Aunt Jenny and beloved friend and early mentor, Mr. O’Conner.
After graduating from Erasmus Hall in 1949, she met a young Naval Officer student named Joseph Brendan Burns, the only son of Mary and Robert Burns of Bronx, NY. They were married in 1954 and purchased their first house in Rhode Island once his naval obligations at bases in Omaha, Nebraska and Oxnard, California were fulfilled.
The young couple settled in North Haven CT where they raised six children. Her sister would add a nephew and four nieces to her heart forever. Trips to visit them in Queens Village were annual summer pilgrimages. She graciously shared her husband with his aging parents after he moved them to North Haven. She was very proud to send four of her kids to college and careers and two others to become talented craftsman. She unselfishly encouraged each of them to pursue their dreams even when it meant saying goodbye. She visited those who left but was very happy when all returned in the last few years. Joan was very proud of the personal struggles she overcame once she achieved the serenity promised in living one day at a time and helped many others to find that peace.
After her husband’s retirement due to failing health, she lived with him on the beach in East Haven and wintered in Ft. Lauderdale and became proud grandparents of eight eventually. She became her husband’s primary caregiver as his health declined and he battled respiratory issues for over a decade. She bravely continued to go to Florida, after his passing in 1995 at 65, where she nurtured old friendships and made new memories. She love to visit her memorial brick at River Walk with Jimmy, talks with Mary Rose, and movies with Dorothy. Joan faced her own health issues over the last few years but always bore her burdens with grace and dignity, relishing the company of friends and daily family visits.
Thanks to Mr. O’Conner, Joan loved to read her entire life. She enjoyed crocheting and leaves a lasting legacy of afghan blankets. She bowled in leagues for a time but preferred a good card game, Upwords with Ann H., Word Jumbles with Albert. She visited many states with her husband and later to visit children. She enjoyed cruises with her old Church St. gang. Visited Ireland with her first born. All My Children and CBS Sunday Morning were mandatory viewing as was Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, usually with one of her children.
She liked any activity that she shared with one of her children: Day trips and excursions with Carol and Tricia, Casino trips with son Bill, Deep conversations with Bob, Concerts on the Green with Sue, Visiting the infield at Indianapolis Speedway on race day as Joey’s VIP guest. Joan maintained friendships that stretched several decades with Ann H., the two ubiquitous Alberts, and of course her childhood friend of over seventy years Gloria Schubert, who was always full of stories and songs to make her smile.
Joan is predeceased by her husband Joe, her sister Doris and brother in law Jack McNeely, her mother Dagmar and father Frank, who died when she was still a toddler. She is survived by her daughters Carol Daignault (Norm) of Middletown and Patricia Schribert (James) of Wethersfield, her son Joseph Burns Jr. of Hamden, Robert Burns of North Haven, William Burns (Daniece) of Wallingford, and James Burns of Meriden. She was the proud grandmother of Christopher (Jennifer) and Jennifer Daignault, Alyssa Burns (Doug Stamp) and Keri Burns, Joseph and Madison Burns, and Alexandra and Katherine Burns.
She was the loving Aunt of Jack, Diane, Barbara, Linda, and Annie. She treasured all the many trips they and their families took to visit and attend major family milestones. The same goes for the Gallagher, Walsh and Goldstein families. Tiger, Susie, Honey, Lovey, Shannon, and Arbee were friends of the furry persuasion that always brought her smiles and for them gentle petting.
She was well aware of how blessed she was to be able to behold a third generation of her family in the smiles of her two great-grandchildren, Caleb and Juliana Daignault, and all future gifts of life guarantees her story continues even as she says “Bye for now.”
Private services have been entrusted to the Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. Graveside services will be conducted Saturday morning May 16 at 11:30 a.m. at All Saints Cemetery, North Haven, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Amazing Grace Food Pantry, St. Vincent DePaul, 16 Stack St, Middletown, CT in Joan’s memory.