Obituary of Joan V Taranto

Joan V. (Mackey) Taranto, aged 87, passed away peacefully in her home on February 6, 2020 surrounded by her family. Joan was born in Boston and raised and educated in Somerville. She graduated St. Clement High School and went to work for the W.T. Grant store until she found her dream job as a telephone operator at New England Telephone. Joan had a wonderful relationship with her grandmother Anastasia, her Aunt Sissy, and her three uncles Joe, Frank, and Bill Mackey, who she affectionately referred to as her brothers. Joan and John were married on Pearl Harbor Day 1973 and have resided in Burlington since 1977. Joan always took great pride in her home and made it especially warm and welcoming for her family and friends. She loved to decorate for every holiday with Christmas being her favorite. Joan was a devout Catholic and her faith was an important part of her life. She had a great devotion to the Virgin Mary and prayed the rosary daily. Joan was a caring and loving mom who was always there for her children. For Joan, being surrounded by her family was her greatest comfort and joy, whether it was a family dinner, a holiday gathering or just spending time together. She will be remembered for her smile, her laugh, her humor, and her kind and beautiful spirit. She was a woman who generated warmth and love to everyone she met. Joan will be deeply missed but will never be forgotten for a part of her lives on in all those she loved. Joan was the beloved wife of John. Loving mother of Mary Polito & her husband Gary of Waltham, Teri Carco of Billerica & Michael Gay, Richard Taranto & his husband Jon Ellms of Burlington & Kennebunk, ME and the late Robert Carco. Proud grandmother of Thomas Carco, Michael Polito & Olivia Taranto. Sister of the late Elizabeth Murphy, Joseph, Francis & William Mackey. Joan is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON on Monday, Feb. 10 from 4-8 p.m. Funeral from the Funeral Home on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Burial to follow in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Joan’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.org or The Harpley Fund, c/o Lahey Philanthropy, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805. For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net & www.saint-malachy.org