Joan Marie (Papineau) Gileau

Joan Marie Gileau passed away on October 14, 2024 at home on her beloved farm, surrounded by the love of her family.

Joan was born November 6, 1937 in Hanover, Connecticut, the daughter of Joseph and Anne (Racine) Papineau. As the third oldest of nine children, Joan learned at an early age to help her parents  take care of the younger children and family home. The Papineaus were a big family but also very close, devoted to each other and to God. When the kids weren't busy with chores or helping out at Dad’s store, they spent endless hours playing games, picking berries or sledding down snow covered hills near their home. Whether attending church or vacationing at Groton Long Point, Joan was with her family.

On a blind date on Christmas Eve in 1959, Joan met the love of her life, Eugene Thomas Gileau. They were engaged one week later, on New Year’s Eve and on February 27, 1960, at St. Mary’s Church in Baltic, Connecticut,  they were united in Holy Matrimony. The happy couple set out to start their future together, establishing SunnySide Farm in Voluntown, Connecticut. Joan took care of their four children, the farm’s business and worked at other jobs including a bank. She could always be found cooking and feeding anyone who walked through the door. Whether a farm hand or a kid from town, Joan always made them welcome and no one left hungry! She still made time to do the things she loved including going dancing with Eugene, playing cards with friends and visiting family. Besides Joan’s devotion to God and her beloved Church, she spent endless hours volunteering for the Voluntown Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary, praying with the Legion of Mary and teaching Catechism to hundreds of children.

Sadly, after only twenty five years of marriage, God called Eugene up to sit by his side. Joan was left with her extreme faith in God and determination and she and her oldest son Joseph  continued to operate the farm. Joan loved her children deeply and as a family, they persevered.

Joan was a people person with a sweet personality and a quick smile. She worked at the store in Voluntown and left there to work as a Cage Cashier at Foxwoods Resort Casino shortly after they opened. She loved her job at Foxwoods and worked for over 10 years before finally retiring. In later years she enjoyed sitting under the tree at the farm’s vegetable stand, talking to all the people and showing kids the animals. Her love of Rummikub and card games was infectious and she enjoyed playing with whoever came to visit.

Joan had a pure and gentle spirit and a heart full of love. She will be deeply missed.

Joan is survived by her son, Joseph (Jennifer) of Voluntown; son, John (Kimberly) of Voluntown; daughter Ann Marie (fiance Scott Leffler) of Jewett City and daughter Beth Ann (James) Couillard of Voluntown. She is survived by seventeen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Joseph Papineau; sister, Frances (Wilfred) Blanchette; brother, Steven Papineau; sister, Ellen (Roland) Macha, and sister, Elizabeth McGuire. Joan is survived by many nieces and nephews, all who loved her dearly.  She is predeceased by her husband, Eugene Thomas Gileau. She is predeceased also by her parents, Joseph and Anne (Racine) Papineau and two brothers, Mark (Janice) Papineau and Roy (Lorraine) Papineau, sisters-in-law Evelyn Papineau and Barbara Papineau and her beloved sister, Dora Anne. She is also predeceased by an infant great-grandchild.

Calling hours will be Monday, October 21 from 5 - 7 p.m. at the Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home, 490 Voluntown Road, Griswold, Connecticut. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, October 22, at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Church, 61 Preston City Road, Voluntown, Connecticut. Interment will be immediately following the service at Pachaug Cemetery in Griswold, Connecticut.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joan Marie (Papineau) Gileau, please visit our floral store.