Joan Maxine Messier LaFlamme, age 88, wife of the late Albert A. LaFlamme, died on Sunday, July 8, 2018 at the Bridges Home in Nashua, surrounded by her loving family. From her birth on August 17, 1929, to her death, she devoted herself to her family, her community, and her education, and was an inspiration to all who knew her.
She was born to Arthur and Juliet (Houle) Messier in Nashua, the youngest of four children. She attended Nashua High School and worked at her family’s business, Messier’s Tire and Garage. She met Albert “Berdie” LaFlamme at a junior high school dance in 1941, where he was the drummer of the band, and rarely left his side after that day. They wrote to each other daily during Berdie’s service in the Navy, and they were married on May 31, 1947, shortly after Joan’s high school graduation. Their sixty-seven year marriage was blessed with enduring love and deep mutual respect.
Berdie and Joan built their home on Williams Street in 1951 and raised eight children there: Philip A. LaFlamme Sr., of Durham, ME; Richard A. LaFlamme, who predeceased his parents; Paul and Dorothy LaFlamme of Hollis, NH; Patricia and Bruce Rankins of Gilford, NH; Peter A. LaFlamme Sr., of Nashua, NH; Celeste and Robert Sticca of Fargo, ND; Joan and Doug Finn of Hudson, NH; and Jeffrey and Natalie LaFlamme of Nashua, NH. They had seventeen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren, who Joan adored.
While Berdie built his career as an educator and musician, Joan was a loving mother to their large family. In addition, she later worked as a switchboard operator at St. Joseph’s Hospital, and then went on to become a secretary for Dr. E. Lopez for twenty-five years. Following her retirement, she fulfilled her long-deferred dream of attending college, and when she graduated with a BA from Rivier College in 2007, she was their oldest-ever graduate at the age of 77. She continued to pursue her love of learning, often composing essays and poetry on the computer that she learned to master. She loved to travel and visit with family members, and she was a doting dog owner to her pets over the years.
Joan was a devout Catholic, a lifelong member of St. John XXIII Parish (Infant Jesus Church) and took great comfort and strength in knowing God was with her always. She was the center of her family, and she will be greatly missed and held in the hearts of those she left behind.
In addition to her beloved son and husband, Joan is predeceased by her brother, Lawrence Messier, and her sisters, Rita Dimond and Patricia Marquis.
The family is grateful to the devoted nurses and staff at Bridges for their warmth toward Joan for the past year and a half. Their care and kindness created a loving home where Joan was cherished and respected. The family would also like to thank the Brookhaven Hospice staff for their compassionate care during the family’s most difficult time.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, July 10, from 5-8 PM at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. Her funeral service will be held at St. John XXIII Parish (Infant Jesus Church), 121 Allds Street, Nashua on Wednesday, July 11, at 10:30 AM. In a celebration of Joan’s generous spirit, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution be given to a charity of one’s own choice. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com
