Joan A. Fontoni

Joan A Fontoni, 85 of Braintree, died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, after a recent period of failing health on December 9, 2023. Born in Braintree, she lived in the family home for her entire life. Joan was predeceased in death by her brother James and wife Betty Fontoni of Braintree, sister Marie and husband Doug Acton of Rhode Island & Florida, sister Gladys E Fontoni of Braintree, sister Irene and husband Don Lagasse of Wareham, brother Joseph (Bud) Fontoni of Braintree, sister Doris Litchfield of Braintree, brother-in-law John Parsons of Florida and good friend Shirley Bates of Stoughton.

Joan is survived by her sister Marge Parsons of Florida, her niece Kim Thalacker and partner Bill Dowler of Sharon and niece Donna Bates of Weymouth. She is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews, 16 great nieces and nephews and 7 great great nieces and nephews.

A graduate of Braintree High School, Joan was the first ever freshman to play on the girls Varsity Basketball team. In May of 2005, she was inducted into the Braintree High Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the 1954-1955 Girls Basketball Team. They were the South Shore Champions with an undefeated 5-0 record.

Joan worked at Sigma Instruments in Braintree until she retired. She was a lifelong Boston sports fan, especially the Bruins and spent the last 20 years going to Revolution soccer games with her sisters. Earlier in life, she enjoyed trips to Virginia and Bar Harbor, Maine, with recent summers spent in Onset. During the latter half of the 70’s she was a matron for the Renegades Drum & Bugle Corp of Quincy, MA. Traveling to competitions and marching in parades was a highlight for her during those summers.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Saturday 10 AM – 1 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home SOUTH WEYMOUTH at 809 Main Street (Rte 18 opp. So. Shore Hospital). A graveside service will be celebrated on Saturday at 1:30 PM in Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the K9 Kitt Foundation, a Braintree Police K9 that was killed in action (k9kittfoundation.com).