Joan H. (Learned) Guarente

SPRINGFIELD- Joan H. Guarente, 78, a longtime resident here passed away in Huntsville Hospital in Alabama. She now joins her beloved husband and soulmate, Robert H. Guarente who died July 13, 2019 in eternal love and peace. Joan was working on a fresh change in life as she was relocating to Alabama to be near her daughter Kathy and her family.

She was born in Springfield on August 3, 1942, a daughter of the late Edward and Martha (Heppelle) Learned. Joan was a 1960 graduate of Springfield Technical High School. She was a longtime paraprofessional at Forest Park Middle School in Springfield retiring June 21, 2005.

She and her husband Bob were huge hockey fans and supporters of the Hartford Whalers, The Wolf Pack and off ice hockey officiating. Joan was an avid boater, especially aboard “BobKat” and was an election poll worker (aka “The Warden”) for many years. She was a member of the West Springfield Council on Aging where she enjoyed traveling, especially to the casinos and other destinations with her friends.

Joan is survived by her son, Bobby Guarente, Jr and his wife Margie of Holyoke; her daughter Kathy Ayvazian and her husband Brett of Madison, AL; her adored grandchildren, Brittanie Moro of Ware; Jessica Moro of Vernon, CT; Julie, Allie and Kristen Guarente all of Holyoke; Rylee Ayvazian of AL and her darling great granddaughters, Emerald and Evalina. Joan was also predeceased by her brothers, Donald and Robert Learned and by her sister, Darlene Gordon.

Visiting hours will be Saturday, February 27, 2021 from 4-6PM at Curran O’Brien Funeral Home, 33 Lamb St., South Hadley, MA 01075 with a funeral home service at 5:30PM. The burial will be private at the MA Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joan’s name can be made to: West Springfield Council on Aging, 128 Park St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Please visit www.lombardfuneralhome.com to share on line condolences, pictures and for more details.