Joan (Sullivan) Clifford

Clifford, Joan Marie (Sullivan) Of Taunton, passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2024, after a brief illness. She was 93 years old. Beloved wife of the late William Clifford, Sr. Loving mother of Kathy Briggs and her partner, Robert Branagan of St. Pete Beach, FL, William Clifford, Jr. and his wife, Robin of Poquoson, VA, and Karen Kelly and her husband Stephen of Stoneham, MA. Devoted grandmother to Jason Briggs, Michael Briggs, Jennifer Briggs, William Clifford, III, Katherine Miller, Casey Briggs, Leanne Pataky, Reed Clifford and Daniel Kelly. Great grandmother to Emily Briggs, Elizabeth Briggs, Maxwell Briggs, Vivienne Miller, Winona Pataky and Adeleine Miller. Sister of the late Daniel Sullivan, Francis Sullivan and Robert Sullivan. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Joan was born and raised in Taunton and was a life-long parishioner of St. Mary’s, where she graduated high school in 1947. She worked at FB Rogers after high school, starting as a clerk and progressing to the purchasing department. There, she met the love of her life. She married Bill at St. Mary’s Church in 1954. After a short time in Pawtucket RI, they purchased a house in Taunton, where they raised their family. Joan worked for Raytheon from 1961-1963, when she left to have her son Billy Jr. She returned to work in 1970 for Towle Manufacturing. She worked there for over 30 years and only retired when the division closed its doors. Joan taught religious education and was a member of the Women’s Guild at St. Mary’s. She was an avid reader and loved spending summers at the beach and cottage in Cataumet. Her bucket list included travel. She enjoyed visiting Ireland, England, Scotland, France, Italy, and Mt. Rushmore. She and Bill also enjoyed a cruise through the Panama Canal and many weekends in New York City. Joan loved spending time with her family and friends. She never missed a beat, from hosting house parties early on to attending family gatherings over the holidays. She loved attending piano and dance recitals, soccer games in MA and VA, high school and college graduations and many of her grandchildren’s special events. Later in life, she enjoyed spending some time during the winter in St. Pete Beach, FL, with her daughter Kathy. She was a beautiful person with a beautiful smile and will be missed by all who knew her. Funeral home visiting hours will be held at the O’Keefe Wade Funeral Home, 70 Washington St., Taunton, MA on Wednesday, April 17th from 6-8 pm. Funeral from O’Keefe Wade Funeral Home at 9:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial will be at Holy Family Church in East Taunton on Thursday, April 18th at 11 am. Burial will be at Bourne National Cemetery in Bourne, MA at 1:45 pm.

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