Joan E. Poirier
March 29, 1937 – January 22, 2023
New Port Richey, FL Joan E. (Fontaine) Poirier, 85, was called safely home on Sunday, January 22, 2023 surrounded by the love and care of her family. Born in Chicopee, MA, on March 29,1937, She was the daughter of George O. and Alice E. (LaRiviere) Fontaine. The youngest and last surviving sibling, she was raised and educated in Chicopee. Her education was furthered at American International College in Springfield, MA where she earned a BA in Education. Joan began her teaching career in the Indian Orchard, MA area where she taught at Immaculate Conception Catholic School for eight years. In 1977 she moved her family to New Port Richey, where she made a new life. Joan made her mark in the world by teaching in the Alternative Education Program at Ridgewood High School for twenty-two years. While she was teaching high school, she attained her Master’s degree in Education from Nova University. Her life was full, and she enjoyed it to the fullest. Family was always around, travel was always on the calendar, and a trip to the beach or a party would never be passed up!
She is survived by and will be deeply missed by her soulmate and wife, Marjorie Potter, with whom she’s shared and enjoyed the past 22 years. Her memory and legacy will live on in her five children, Paul and his wife Karen, Steven and his wife Erin, Laura and her husband Robert Frey, Alice and her husband Eddie Tumaneng, and Girard and his wife Dana, all from Florida. She leaves behind her 12 loving grandchildren and her 13 great grandchildren, who called her Gigi, along with her many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, Joan was predeceased by her three siblings, George O. Fontaine, II, Joyce A. Gaudreau, Janet D. Fontaine, along with her granddaughter, Lauren N. Sansonetti.
Calling hours will be Friday, February 3, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Dobies Funeral Home, Old County Rd. 54, New Port Richey. A Funeral Mass will be Saturday, February 4 at 10:00 a.m. at
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 5326 Charles St. New Port Richey. Please meet directly at the church. Burial will be at a later date. For those wishing to honor her memory and the wonderful treatments she received, please make donations to the Moffit Cancer Center Foundation, 12902 Magnolia Dr., MBC-FOUND, Tampa, FL 33612 or online at https://give.moffitt.org
For those wishing to view the services remotely, please connect to the following link, https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/3210925989
To leave a condolence or for more information, please visit www.dobiesfuneralhome.com.
The following poem sums up Joan’s beautiful and wonderful life:
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow! What a Ride!”
Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home - Seven Springs Chapel
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
Sharon Gainey
January 26, 2023, 12:42 am
She was my rock in high school, and many others. You’ll always be a legend to us. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Melissa DiCristina
January 27, 2023, 10:43 am
Mrs. P was the one who cared about us “bad” kids in school. She would go out of her way to fight for you but also make you answer to her when you messed up. She was a mother figure to a lot of of us. RIP Mrs. P. Deepest condolences to your family. -Melissa DiCristina
Joe Zimakas
January 30, 2023, 8:13 pm
She was such a special person. I will keep her and the brief times we had together in my memories.
Jean-Guy Aube
January 31, 2023, 2:24 am
My heart goes out to Marge and all of Joan’s family .
This is such a huge loss.
Peace be with You all. Amen
Barbara Goldenberg
February 2, 2023, 2:44 am
When my son, Steven Paul Poirier told me of his Gandmother Joan’s passing, I cried. Joan was a very special lady. I have great and wonderful memories of time spent with her in Florida. Joan was always very kind and supportive to me. I have the first Christmas Mouse Bell she gave to Steven when he was 2. For the past 36 years, this special Mouse is placed on our family tree. I always think of her during the holidays. Always such fun at her house. We stayed in touch over the years. When I went through my pancreatectomy and diabetes, she offered words of encouragement. The same when I had my pancreas transplant. Her words meant so much to me because I trusted her.
To the Poirier Family, I’m so sorry for your loss.
Hugs to all, Barbara Goldenberg
Cheryl Renneckar
February 2, 2023, 3:17 am
Joan was an outstanding, talented and dedicated teacher who gave her heart and soul to students who found school and, at times, life challenging. She was a joy to work with as she always put her students first! She was a “mother” to hundreds of students who could always count on her to stand up for them but also meet her expectations! My sympathy to her family and to Marjorie. Joan was one of a kind for whom I held tremendous respect. May she rest in peace “after having slid into heaven in a cloud of smoke!” Cheryl A. Renneckar (former Assistant Principal at Ridgewood High School)
Robert Cabana
February 2, 2023, 11:09 pm
Aunt Joan,
You will be missed dearly by all. That contagious laugh that you had. The spark at all of our family gatherings on 9 mile pond, and elsewhere. Watching you run down the dock and hit the diving board with your infamous swan dive. And you yelling at me as I drove off the board Robbie, your glasses, a number of times and you would dive down and come up with them and that great smile. All the times all of us cousins 12+ with rafts,swimies, and inner tubes would circle the pond. Great memories Aunt Joan thank you. Well you are home now. With your brother and sisters and the Fontaine family walking hand and hand with Jesus. Let the festivities begin!!!!
Robert Cabana
February 2, 2023, 11:15 pm
To the whole Poirier family my deepest condolences to you all.
Corrine DeJarnette
February 4, 2023, 1:40 am
So sorry for your family’s of your dear Mother/grandmother. May she RIP.
Heartfelt condolences ❤️🙏🏼