Obituary of Joan Saia

Joan C. Saia, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother passed away after a courageous struggle with a long illness on Tuesday morning, October 21, 2014. She was 78 years old. Joan was born in Cambridge, the daughter of Italian immigrants, the late Gaetano and Giovanina (Goia) Risola. She grew up in East Cambridge and was a graduate of Cambridge Latin. Joan worked as a receptionist for NRC in Cambridge, MA. Shortly thereafter she met and fell in love with her soul mate, Pat. It was a perfect pairing sharing almost 58 wonderful years as husband and wife. After raising her family Joan decided to make good use of her “gift of gab” and worked as a manicurist for more than 30 years at Two Images Salon in Woburn. She had loyal customers many of whom became lifelong friends. Joan enjoyed decorating for all the holidays to make her home more inviting and festive. She loved all the holidays and often hosted her large family. It helped that Joan was a fantastic cook and everyone loved her signature eggplant and stuffed artichokes. As an avid shopper she was always on the hunt for great deals. Joan was an active parishioner at St. Barbara’s Church where she taught religious education, served as an eighth grade coordinator, and lecturer. She had a great group of longtime friends in her TOPS Club and bowling league. She enjoyed partaking in many of the social activities at the Knights of Columbus. Joan traveled the world with Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, and Bermuda being some of her destinations. She was always there to support her sons with their sports, activities, careers, and life decisions. She was the type of grandmother who was always around for her grandkids from preschool graduations, dance recitals, baseball, football, cheerleading or any other event, celebration, milestone. Joan would never miss the opportunity to be in the stands, sidelines, or audience proudly cheering and supporting her grandkids. Joan gave of herself her entire life and in her final years it was her family that returned her love to support and assist her in her daily challenges. Joan was the beloved wife of 57 years of Pasquale “Pat” Saia. She was the loving mother of John & his wife Terry of Andover, Paul & his wife Lynne of Andover, and Mark & his wife Sandra of Burlington. She was the sister of Mary Saia of Burlington, the late Carmela Cavicchio, Anthony Risola, Eva Riberio, Valor Catarius, Lena Cornelio, and Gloria Silipigno. Joan was the proud grandmother of Lauren, Matthew, Nicole, Courtney, Krista, Jillian, Nicholas, and Joseph Saia. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Barbara’s Church at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Friday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Joan’s name may be made to St. Barbara’s Church, 138 Cambridge Rd, Woburn, MA 01801.=