Joan O'Brien Churchill, 72, of Hyde Park, NY, formerly of Newington, CT, passed away on September 18, 2023, at Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Born in the town of Manchester, Connecticut, on January 15, 1951, she was the daughter of John William O'Brien and Paula Ann (Scruggs) O'Brien, who predeceased her. Joan was a proud graduate of Newington High School's Class of 1969 and later went on to earn her bachelor's degree from Hartford College for Women. A long-time resident of Newington, Joan relocated to New York to be near her family after retiring from Cigna, where she spent her career as a paralegal.

A quiet and gentle soul, Joan enjoyed life's simple pleasures, especially gardening, bird watching, and reading endless books - often with a cat cuddled beside her. She was a nurturing caregiver – first and foremost as a mother and then as a daughter caring for her own parents as well as her in-laws, Edward and Janet Churchill, who had also been her next-door neighbors. Yet it was her time spent with her grandchildren – the absolute joys of her life – that made her later years truly golden.

Joan is survived by her devoted daughter and son-in-law, Paige and David Kelly of Poughkeepsie, NY, and her three beautiful grandchildren - Drew, Cole, and Shae Kelly. She also leaves behind many close friends who were considered family.

Friends and relatives may call at Sweet's Funeral Home at 4365 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park on Wednesday, October 11thfrom 5PM-7PM. To send an online condolence or for directions, please visit www.sweetsfuneralhome.com. Internment will take place in the family plot in West Meadow Cemetery in Newington on October 27th at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Duchess County SPCA, 636 Violet Ave., Hyde Park, NY 12538 or www.dcspca.org an organization Joan strongly supported.