Joan (Walsh) Johnson Killawee

NORTH CANAAN — Joan (Walsh) Johnson Killawee, 85, of North Canaan, passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 22, 2020, with her loving husband, John Killawee, by her side.

A longtime resident of North Canaan, Joan was born on May 24, 1935, to Alice (McGee) and William B. Walsh of Lakeville.

Joan was a graduate of Housatonic Valley Regional High School, Class of 1953. She married Robert F. Johnson of North Canaan and together they had six children.

Joan was employed in North Canaan at the A & P Company for a number of years and later became a manager for Shagroy Market in Salisbury.

Besides raising six children, Joan was an avid reader and a member of a Women’s Bowling League in Great Barrington Mass. She had a passion for cooking.

Later in life and at the urging of her family she learned how to downhill ski.

Besides her husband of 45 years, John Killawee, Joan is survived by five of her six children, Karen Casey of South Kent, Geralyn Kenniston and her husband, Edward, of West Cornwall, James Johnson of East Hartford, Conn.,  Lisa O’ Connor and her husband, John, of Avon, Conn., and Maria Johnson and her husband, AJ Hansen, of Manchester, Conn.; 10 grandchildren,  Zachary Casey, Jesse Casey, Kallie Casey Gawel, Jennifer Larson, Janna Kenniston Rice, Ryan Johnson, Caroline Johnson, Timothy O’Connor, Katherine O’Connor and Jack O’Connor; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Joan was an aunt to Lori Bellini-Cannistra and Kathleen Bellini and William Walsh III and Keri Jean Walsh.

Joan will be missed by her cat, Gracie.

Joan was predeceased by her son, Michael Johnson; her first husband, Robert F. Johnson; her sister, Patricia (Walsh) Bellini; and her brother, William Walsh.

Joan’s family wishes to acknowledge her loving and supportive caregiver, Ms. Melissa Waldron, for all the care and devotion she gave to Joan during the past few years.

A private graveside service will take place in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Cemetery on Nov. 6. 

A  Mass and celebration of Joan’s life will be held in May 2021.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in her name and memory to The Little Guild, 285 Sharon–Goshen Turnpike, West Cornwall, CT 06796.