Obituaries 08-01-2024

Joan Dumas

She was a true example of strength and resilience in the face of adversity

Joan (Shipley) Dumas 89, of Winthrop, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 28, 2024 at the Lighthouse Nursing Center in Revere.

She was married to the late Robert Dumas Sr., before he died in 1983. She leaves behind her son, Kevin and his wife, Mary, with daughter Jenny and her husband, Ryan and three great grandchildren and a son, Joey, her daughter, Diane Sullivan and her son, Andrew and his fiancé, Lauren Ferry, (predeceased daughter) Catherine Hamilton and (predeceased husband) William Hamilton and their two sons, Patrick and longtime companion, Chelsea and his two daughter, and a son, Kyle, daughter, Susan Gulla and (predeceased husband John Gulla) and their son, John Anthony and (predeceased son) Robert Dumas and his wife, Kerry Dumas and their two daughters, Kristine Geary and husband, Zach Geary and Stefanie Dumas. She was lovingly referred to as “Mimi” by not only her grandchildren and great grandchildren, but by so many other extended family and friends.

A graduate of Winthrop High School, class of 1953, the last job she had she worked as a bus monitor for kids with special needs. Before that she worked for many years as a home health aid and prior to that she worked at a bank. She always worked tirelessly to support her family after the loss of her husband far too young. She was the last of 13 siblings who all passed before her, along with their spouses. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and their children whom she loved very much (“Auntie Joanie”).

Through all of her loss, she remained a strong, fun loving person, always ready to help and show support to all of us. She had two beloved childhood friends, Betty and Evelyn, with whom she stayed in contact with for almost 80 years, up until a couple of years ago when dementia affected that part of her memory. She was a true example of strength and resilience in the face of adversity. As she grew older, in her mind she was not – she loved to fish, was still jumping on trampolines, riding on jet skis, snow mobiles and going on roller coasters into her 70’s.

She taught us all that none of us are promised another day, so we should make the most of every day. She made sure you knew how much she loved you and never missed an opportunity to say so. She was extremely sentimental; lovingly holding on to notes written to the tooth fairy and handmade Mother’s Day cards, etc. that her children wrote over 50 years ago. She celebrated family traditions, enjoyed numerous trips to the White Mountains and loved Halloween and Christmas. May she rest in eternal peace with her loved ones and watch over the rest of us with pride and a smile.

Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the visitation from the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop on Thursday, August 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon followed by a funeral service in the funeral home at 12 Noon. Services will conclude with the interment in the Cross Street section of Winthrop Cemetery.

For directions or to sign the online guestbook.