Joan S (Francoeur) Quinlan

Joan (Francoeur) Quinlan, 94, of Lunenburg, passed away on September 18, 2025 at home. Born in 1931, she was the daughter of Theodore and Anna (Kwayeski) Francoeur.

Joan graduated from Lunenburg High School in 1949. She graduated from Fitchburg State College with a degree in Elementary Education in 1966. Later, in the 1970’s, she would earn a Master’s Degree in Science Education from Fitchburg State College.

Joan was a lifelong learner who was fascinated by the world. At age 20, she left her home in Lunenburg to live, work and study in New York City. She was thrilled to take writing classes at Columbia University.

Joan married J. Richard Quinlan in 1955, and after living in Miami, Florida for a year, they returned to New York City. In 1962, with their two baby daughters in tow, they moved back to Lunenburg and raised their children there. They divorced in 1985, and he passed away in 1996.

Joan graduated college when her children were young, and began teaching third grade in Fitchburg. Her career would span 27 years, during which time she inspired many children with Music, Math, Reading and especially Science.

Joan’s second career, as an antiques dealer, began when she was teaching and continued into her long retirement. She was an expert on Native American, Shaker and Nantucket Lightship baskets, and gave several talks on them. She loved selling antiques at Brimfield, Jeffrey’s, and other local venues. She was a former Curator and President of the Lunenburg Historical Society.

Joan is survived by her daughters, Kimberly Quinlan of Lunenburg and Susan Mitchell and her husband Bob of Reading, her granddaughters Ashley and Brooke Mitchell of Reading, her brother, Robert Francoeur and his wife Lynda of Gardner, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, especially her close friend, Janice Liljestrand.

Services are private.