Obituary of Joan Kelly Spitzschuh

Joan Kelly Spitzschuh, 78, passed away Thursday, September 8, 2016. She was born in New Haven on April 13, 1938 and raised in Hamden as the oldest of six girls. Joan graduated from Hamden High School and subsequently Southern CT State University. She was a much loved kindergarten teacher for many years at Deep River Elementary School and also worked at Whelen Engineering. Joan was known for her kind spirit and gentle soul. Nary a complaint passed her lips. She was predeceased by her parents Edward and Marion Kelly, nephew Charlie Santanello, brother- in- law's Fezzy Evans and Paul Mullen and sister- in- law Florence Gianelli and husband Lee. She is survived by her soul mate and husband of 56 years, William (Bill) Spitzschuh and grandson Billy, both of Deep River. She is also survived by her daughter, Cindy Stannard, husband Larry (Salem, CT) granddaughter, Kelly Stannard (Boston, MA), her son Bill Spitzschuh, wife Suzzane and grandchildren Sam and Libby Spitzschuh (Centerbrook, CT). Additional surviving family members include all five of her sisters: Eileen and Tom Ney (Venice, FL), Doreen and John Santanello (East Haven, CT), Beverly Mullen (Northford, CT), Sharon Brown (Wallingford, CT) Gail and Bob Benson (Bluffton, SC), sister- in- law Sheila Connelly (Guilford, CT) and cousin-in-law- Darlene Tamberino, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at 11:00AM at the Robinson, Wright and Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street in Centerbrook. Following the visitation there will be a 1:00PM funeral service at the Deep River Congregational Church with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers donations, please perform a kind task in her honor.