Joan M. “Joanie” Senna

Joan M. “Joanie” Senna, 82, of East Providence, passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at Rhode Island Hospital. She was the beloved wife of Donald J. Senna to whom she was married 62 years.

Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Donald E. Smith and Isabelle C. Robinson and stepdaughter of the late Mildred Smith. Joan was a 1959 graduate of East Providence High School and a 1960 graduate of Johnson & Wales University. She was diligent and hardworking, paying for her own college tuition. She was the last student to pay her tuition at Johnson & Wales on a weekly basis. She also volunteered for several organizations including, the food pantry and the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Martha’s Church and the East Providence Senior Center. She was also a member of the Johnson & Wales Alumni Association. Joan will always be remembered as a compassionate and loving person who treasured her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband she leaves two children, Deaconess Lori Senna Hill and her husband Rev. Clarence P. Hill, Jr. and Donald J. Senna, Jr. and his wife Michelle. She also leaves behind 12 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, one brother, Calvin Simpson and many nieces, nephews, Godchildren and in-laws. She was the sister of the late Isabelle Anderson, Donald E. Smith, Jr. and James Simpson.

Her funeral will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 9:00 AM in the PERRY-McSTAY FUNERAL HOME, 2555 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence with a service to follow at 10:00 AM. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 12, 2024 from 5pm-8pm.

In her memory, her family has set up a scholarship at Fidelity Investment. Donations to the fund are being accepted at https://www.gofundme.com/f/joan-senna-scholarship-fund.