Joyce M. ([Branco]White) McGowan, a resident of Franklin for the past seven years passed away on December 31, 2020 surrounded by her daughters after a brave battle with COVID-19. She was the wife of the late Joseph W. McGowan and the daughter of the late Maria Rose (Marques) White and Joseph White. She was predeceased by her brother Joseph White and her sister Lucille (White) Giles.
She is survived by her brother George White and his wife Paula of Tiverton RI, and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, William and Sandra McGowan of Warwick RI. Joyce is survived by her loving family: Daughter Cheryl McGowan of Dudley, MA along with her children and their significant others, Ryan Tessier (Stuart Porell), Jenna Tessier (Brenden Fraser), Conor Harrington and Camryn Harrington (Jasmine Carr); Daughter, Patricia McGowan (John Moretta) of Westerly, RI along with her children and their significant others, Nicholas Boruta (Tara Brennan), Brian Boruta (Kevin Neel); Daughter Lynn Poissant (Robert Farrar) of Riverside RI along with her children and their significant others, Vincent Ortez (Chrissy Yuras), Kelsey Poissant, Cole Poissant; and her great grandchildren Haylee Boruta & Robert Langevin (Nicholas Boruta). She is also survived by her two goddaughters, Suzanne (Giguere) DeBarros of Riverside, RI and Tiphany Giles of Riverside, RI and by her two godsons, Joseph Ferland of Leaf River, IL and Paul Enos previously of Foster RI.
Joyce has many other nieces, nephews and family members that will remember her fondly. Joyce lived in East Providence RI and Rehoboth, MA as a child, and attended Joseph Case High School in Swansea, MA. Joyce and Joseph resided in Providence RI for most of their married life and also lived in Killingly CT for a few years before his passing in 2013. Joyce loved music, dancing, family gatherings, traveling and shopping. She also enjoyed spending time with her friends and was an avid baker and cook. Joyce worked for Putnam Investments until she retired in 2011. She was also the office manager for her husband’s business, A&M Autobody in Seekonk, MA for many years.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you and endless gratitude to Franklin Fire Department and all the caregivers at Milford Regional Medical Center Hospital. Each and every person who touched Joyce’s life in the last 3 weeks of her life provided encouragement and kindness to her and our family during this very difficult time, while risking their own lives to provide her everything she needed.
Joyce’s funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 10 am at St. Francis Xavier Church, 81 North Carpenter Street, East Providence, RI. There will be no calling hours. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joyce’s memory may be made to The Franklin Fire Department or the Milford Regional Medical Center.