Joan M. Pavao-Whittington

August 23, 1933 - December 06, 2005

Joan M. (Murphy) Pavao-Whittington., 72, of Riverside Avenue in Somerset passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2005 at Saint Anne's Hospital in Fall River. She was the wife of Richard C. Whittington and the former wife of the late John J. Pavao. Born in Fall River, MA on August 23, 1933 the daughter of the late James E. and Mary (Harrington) Murphy.

She was a graduate of Somerset High School class of 1951, and then went on to attend Fitchburg State College and earned a Bachelors of Science degree in education 1955, and in the same years her registered nurse certificate. Mrs. Pavao-Whittington then worked at the former Union Hospital in Fall River for a few years, and then onto the former Fall River district nurses now VNA of Southeastern Massachusetts she retired in 1998 as a nursing supervisor. She then worked part time at the Coyle & Cassidy High school in Taunton, MA for a few years after her retirement.

She was a communicant, parish nurse, women's guild and bereavement coordinator at Saint Patrick Church in Somerset for many years, also a board member on the Institutional review board at Saint Anne's Hospital in Fall River, the Fall River Food Pantry, funeral coordinator at the Hathaway Family Funeral Homes, member of the International Nursing Honor Society Sigma Theta Tau, 1998 Hometown Hero Award recipient, and the State Nursing Manager of the Year award in 1998, and was an avid Red Sox fan.

Survivors beside her husband are two daughters Julie A. Pavao of Somerset, Ma Joan M. Fitzgerald of Fall River, MA three sons Jay J. Pavao of Swansea, MA Joseph P. Pavao of Somerset, MA James E. Pavao Somerset, MA two sisters Claire F. Thibodeau of Tiverton, RI Dorothy L. Deveney of Somerset, MA twelve grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was the mother of the late Jeffrey M. Pavao and sister of the late Maeleen E. Belanger. She was the loving mother-in-law of Anne Marie and Karen L. Pavao, and Scott K. Fitzgerald.

Funeral Information

Her funeral will be held on Monday, December 12, 2005 at 8:45am from the Hathaway Community Home for Funerals, 900 Buffinton St., Somerset, MA followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10am in Saint Patrick Church 306 South Street., Somerset. Relatives and friends are invited to attend, burial to follow in Saint Patrick Cemetery Somerset . Calling hours with video photo album are Sunday, Decembr 11, 2005 from 4-8pm.

Donations Information

Memorial donations in her memory to Patient Care Fund at VNA of Southeastern MA Inc. 502 Bedford St., Fall River, MA 02720.