Joan Blaisdell DeCicca

February 27, 1943 - July 13, 2020

Joan Blaisdell DeCicca, 77, a resident of North Fort Myers, FL for the past 17 years, passed away peacefully Monday, July 13, 2020 in her home. She was born February 27, 1943 in Cambridge, MA to Donald and Anita Blaisdell, now deceased, and was raised in Chili, New York, graduating from West High School in Rochester, NY.

Joan was a committed educator, sharing her passion with the young people she taught for 27 years at Bensalem Public School District in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She received her B.A. at SUNY Cortland and began her teaching career in Seneca Falls, New York. She later moved to Pennsylvania and pursued her M.Ed. in Education at Temple University in Philadelphia.

Joan was a loving, outgoing, and generous woman who gave her all to those she cared about. She was a wonderful mother and devoted grandmother who will be sorely missed and always remembered. Joan, also known as Joanie, was known for her free spirit and zest for life and could always be found surrounded by friends and family. She was a fiercely loyal Philadelphia Eagles Football fan and season ticket holder who could be heard cheering from wherever she was watching the game. In retirement, she became an active member of the American Legion Post 336 in North Fort Myers, FL, contributing her time to various offices and committee positions, as well as maintaining membership at the Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge, and Amvets.

She is survived by two loving daughters, Trish Verdi (Rick) of Yardley, PA, and Kristen Missimer (Tim) of Reading, PA; brother, Don Blaisdell (Janis) of Douglasville, GA; four grandchildren, Nicholas, Marisa, Julia, and Paige; as well as two nieces, Kelli and Melanie.

Due to COVID restrictions, there will be a private Celebration of Life for Joan’s immediate family.

No formal service are planned at this time in FL.

Memorial Contributions in memory of Joan Blaisdell DeCicca are suggested to the American Cancer Society, 4575 Via Royale, # 110, Fort Myers, FL 33919.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Fort Myers, is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. Brian Bindus Jul 18, 2020 at 4:22 pm

    My sincerest condolences. Knowing and loving one of her awesome daughters as a friend- I can only imagine what a loss this is to her family and her friends. Many prayers.

  2. Arline Rigas Jul 18, 2020 at 6:27 pm

    That picture is the essence of Joanie! She was a wonderful mother and friend! All I have are happy memories of her! She always made me laugh a lot and I had so much fun with her! That is what I remember most! A beautiful loving person… a gift to have as a person in my life!
    God bless you Joanie… Rest In Peace… you are in our prayers!
    Arline and John Rigas

  3. Holly Ulrich Jul 19, 2020 at 8:36 am

    Our thoughts and prayers are with your family’s we will surely miss Joanie. She was a great friend!

  4. Nancy Carrero Jul 19, 2020 at 11:04 am

    I love you. Joanie. There isn’t enough words to express how much you have helped and changed my life for the better.

  5. Kathy Gallagher Jul 20, 2020 at 11:17 am

    Dear Trish, please know that you and your family are in our prayers. God bless.

  6. Tory Verdi Jul 21, 2020 at 3:04 pm

    So very sorry for your loss.

  7. Christian Weidmann Jul 26, 2020 at 9:08 am

    I was taught by Ms. Decicca my 6th grade year at shafer middle school in Bensalem, pa. She taught me grammar that year. That school year, 2002-2003, was the year she retired. She was a great teacher, but I especially remember her handwriting. She wrote everything in cursive, and her handwriting was impeccable. Being left-handed, I suppose it came easier for her to write that way. May she rest in peace.

  8. June Horton Jul 26, 2020 at 10:32 am

    Had the pleasure of working with Joan at Armstrong Middle School. She always had a smile on her face and something positive to say regardless of the situation. A wonderful person and excellent educator.

  9. Susan Boyle Jul 26, 2020 at 12:43 pm

    Dear Trish, Kristen and Family,My sorrow is great. However, I cannot help but smile thinking about your Mom’s kindness, joy for life, and genuine Love for others. What a fantastic Mother,Grandmother. teacher and friend. You will be missed Joanie. However, the love you shared will live on in all that you touched.

  10. Elsa Groetzinger Jul 26, 2020 at 3:06 pm

    I worked with Joan for 5 year. She was a great Lady and always had me laughing. I always enjoyed her company. Prayers and hugs for the family.

  11. Donna Bennett Jul 26, 2020 at 3:12 pm

    I worked with Joan at Cornwells many years ago. She always had a smile on her face and was fun to work with. She was always enthusiastic with the children as well as the faculty. I am so sorry for your loss.

  12. Claudia Mahon Jul 26, 2020 at 4:42 pm

    What a wonderful description of Joan! I am so sad to read about her passing. I knew her when I was a teacher and then administrator in Bensalem. She was full of life and I will always remember her laugh and warm heart. Holding the family in the Light.

  13. Leslie Richardson Jul 26, 2020 at 5:32 pm

    I didn’t know Joan for very long, but as a new hire at Cornwells Joan was very kind to me and I was always grateful for that. My condolences to her daughters and family.

  14. Michael J. McCabe Jul 27, 2020 at 3:15 pm

    Thoughts and Prayers for Joan and her family!!!! Joan was an awesome woman and fun to be around. She took me under her wing when I first began teaching at Shafer Middle School. Joan always had a smile on her face and was always looking to help people whenever she could. She will be missed but never forgotten. God Bless her and her family!!!! Thanks for everything you did for me Joan!!!!!!

  15. Connie Drago-Dalessio Jul 27, 2020 at 6:18 pm

    With deepest heart felt sorry to the family. Your mom was my 4th grade teacher at Cornwells Elementary School. I always remembered what a positive and energetic woman she was. Her compassion to teach and engage in a child’s life didn’t go unnoticed. Her smile was contagious and her kindness will never be forgotten. She will always be remembered.

  16. Sandy Vetter Mosley Jul 27, 2020 at 7:53 pm

    I worked with Joan at Cornwells. She had a sharp wit and a great sense of humor. What an awesome lady! She will be missed.

  17. Diane Radick Jul 28, 2020 at 1:17 pm

    I can still see Joan’s bright and shinning smile! She was an asset to the students and staff at Rober K. Shafer Middle School. Our deepest condolences – The Shafer Sunshine Club.

  18. Regina Gairo Jul 29, 2020 at 9:58 am

    I spent a lot of time at Mrs. DeCicca’s house with her daughter, Kristen back in 5th and 6th grade. She was always fun to be around and let us have a good time with each other. So sorry for your loss.

  19. Don Becker Jul 29, 2020 at 11:07 am

    Be assured that she is enjoying the fruits of her labor. May her legacy continue in the hearts of her family and friends. Peace and blessings to all who read this comment. Amen

  20. Eric Gordon Jul 29, 2020 at 1:31 pm

    I can’t believe that she has passed so suddenly. I just spoke to her two weeks ago about opting out of the Eagles tickets for this season due to the circumstances. Joanie will truly be missed and I am so glad that she got to see the Eagles win the Super Bowl before her passing. She was a great educator , colleague, and friend! I love you Joanie and I will miss our Eagle talks! Fly Eagles Fly! Rest In Peace.

  21. Terri Brashears Jul 31, 2020 at 7:41 am

    I had the pleasure of teaching with Joan at Shafer Middle School in Bensalem, Pa. She was a dedicated professional who loved her students. My deepest condolences to Joan’s family.

  22. Sue Willis Sep 9, 2020 at 4:36 pm

    Hi John, Jan & Trish,
    I am a cousin (my mother & Don were cousins). I remember a couple times with Joanie. We were at a family reunion when we were kids and Joanie, Diane & I were sitting on my grandmother’s couch trying to figure out how we were related. We went to the kitchen & asked all the women and got an answer. Then we went to the porch & asked the men and got another answer. When we told them the answers did not agree, Don said, “I am your uncle cousin.”
    The other memory was when her family was up at the U of Maine while Trish’s dad was working up there. I was a student & she invited me over for dinner one night. She told me that when she was making the spaghetti sauce she had left the lid off the blender & it went all over the ceiling & everywhere. Trish who was a preschooler thought it was very funny. By the time Joanie told me she was beginning to see the humor!
    Anita used to write on her cards about you all & I lost track of you after she died.
    Joanie was a special person and I will pray for comfort for you all as you mourn her.
    Sue Willis

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