Obituary of Joan E. Cogliano

Joan E. Cogliano, a beloved wife and loving mother, passed away on February 5, 2024, at the age of 86. Joan was born to her parents John and Anna Flaherty and grew up in Cambridge. Joan graduated from St. Mary's School and after high school she worked at an insurance company. While out at a dance, Joan and her friends met a group of gentlemen, who they spent the night talking with. As the night got later, it began to rain. Bob Cogliano offered them a ride home. Bob dropped the women off, one by one at their homes. Joan was the last stop and the two had talked the entire ride. Bob asked Joan out on a date, which she happily accepted. In July of 1959, the two were married. 

Joan and Bob settled in Burlington in 1966, where they raised their family. Joan and the rest of the Brantwood Lane neighborhood formed fantastic bonds. Mornings were spent getting the kids on the bus, and then they would all get coffee and catch up, sharing stories. When the children reached school age, Joan worked in the Burlington School Systems as a cafeteria worker until her retirement in 1998.  

Joan and the family spent every August up in Hampton Beach, NH with family. They had bucket list trips to California, Las Vegas, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. They enjoyed closer excursions to see Niagara Falls in NY, various parts of Canada and Washington DC. Over the years, they developed their favorite spots which included North Conway, NH, Boothbay Harbor and Ogunquit, ME. As Joan and Bob’s roles transitioned from parents to grandparents, the nature of their trips changed too. They cherished annual trips to the Orlando area to visit with their grandchildren Collin and Sean, and to Virginia to spend time with Sarah and Christopher, and shorter trips across town to see Laura and Jim participate in their activities.

Joan and Bob enjoyed going to the North Shore Music Theater in Beverly to see the shows. Joan liked to shop, making sure to visit the local shops while traveling to pick out a souvenir to commemorate the trip. Joan was also an avid crocheter.

Joan will be remembered for her kind heart, and generosity and providing unconditional love for her family and others.

Joan was the beloved wife of 65 years to Robert “Bob” Cogliano of Burlington. She was the loving mother of Cheryl Stanton and her husband Daniel of Burlington, Steven Cogliano and his wife Mary of Mechanicsville, VA, and Debra Thompson and her husband Michael of Sanford, Florida. Joan was the proud grandmother of Laura Schreiber and her husband Jonathan, James Stanton and his wife Leah, Sarah Cogliano, Christopher Cogliano, Collin Thompson and his wife Sydnie, and Sean Thompson. Joan treasured her role as a great-grandmother to Owen Schreiber and Emma Stanton. She was the sister to Carol Donohue and her husband Lawrence, Robert Flaherty and his wife Cynthia and her late siblings John Flaherty Jr. and James Flaherty. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.  

Visiting hours will be on Friday, February 9 from 4 to 7 PM at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington, MA 01803. A funeral will be held on Saturday, February 10, from the Sullivan Funeral Home at 9 AM, for a 10 AM Funeral Mass at St. Malachy’s Church, 99 Bedford Street, Burlington, MA 01803. Services will conclude with a burial at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, 52 Bedford Street, Burlington. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Joan’s memory to the Rotary Club of Burlington, PO Box 462, Burlington MA 01803. 

Joan’s family would also like to thank the care providers at BrightView Senior Living Concord River and Beacon Hospice for their attentive care and compassion.

For online guestbook, tribute video and service information, please visit www.sullivanfuneralhome.net