Joan (Malcolm) Donnelly, of Seekonk, passed away on May 24, 2025 at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence, RI, with both her son and daughter by her side. She was the beloved wife of the late Dennis Donnelly, to whom she was wed for 30 years.
Born in Providence in March, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Alexander and Catherine (Bailey) Malcolm.
She is survived by her two children, Christel Donnelly of Norton, MA and Michael Donnelly of Seekonk, MA; two brothers, A. Russell Malcolm and his late wife, Mary of Kingston, RI, and Robert Malcom and his wife, Pauline of Warwick, RI; a sister-in-law, Helene McGovern and her husband, Martin of Mashpee, MA; along with many nieces and nephews.
Joan was a graduate of Warwick Veterans Memorial High School and also attended Fisher College. Shortly after she began working for General Motors in Providence and later in Boston where she made several lifelong friends. She spent more than 35 years there, retiring in 2001.
Traveling was always something Joan loved to do. Destinations such as Bermuda, Florida, Vermont, and Maine were among her and Dennis' favorite places to visit. They also loved Cape Cod, owning a vacation home in Wareham for a period of time, where they spent several summers with their kids.
Joan enjoyed many different activities during her retirement, including learning to fly a single engine Cessna, spending many hours in the air. She was also a member of the North Attleboro Firearms School where she loved to shoot.
It was Joan's family, however, that always remained the center of her life. Showing time and time again, there was nothing she wouldn't do for them.
Family and friends are invited to attend memorial visitation on Tuesday, June 3rd from 10 to 11 a.m. at Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, 20 Peck Street, Attleboro. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be private in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston, RI.
We encourage those who knew Joan to share their memories on her memorial page, as a tribute to her life. Please visit www.duffy-poule.com
