Joan May Zarek

Joan May (Kinney) Zarek, 80, of Mansfield, MA, passed away on Wednesday, November 29, 2017, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife of the late Frank T. Zarek. Born on May 20, 1937 in Attleboro, MA, she was the daughter of the late Basil E. Kinney and the late Marion F. (Pike) Kinney.Joan was a graduate of Attleboro High School, Class of 1955. She worked for seventeen years with her niece Cathy at Cathy's Wampum Corner in Wrentham, MA, serving smiles, sandwiches, and ice cream. Previously Joan had worked at Mansfield Scientific, Sweet Manufacturing, and at TI, Metals and Controls. Her most valued role was a Homemaker to her cherished family.Joan was a resident of Mansfield for the past fifty-five years, having previously lived in Attleboro, where she was raised and educated. She was a longtime member of Second Congregational Church, where she and Frank were married.An outgoing and engaging woman, Joan had countless interests and passions. She simply had a love for life. She was a member of the Attleboro Jaycees with her husband for many years. She was an active member of the reunion planning committee for the Attleboro Class of 1955. She enjoyed sewing and knitting, reading, playing countless games of cards with friends and family, and debating politics. She loved nature, flowers, and birds, (although not necessarily the squirrels,) and she loved the New England Patriots. Joan enjoyed visits to the casino as an avid Poker and Black Jack player. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and had a special place in her heart for her longtime faithful companion, her cat "Anna", who was so often by her side. Joan often shared her faithfulness in The Lord with her family and was comforted immensely by His love.Joan was the loving mother of Thomas F. Zarek and his wife, Lynette C. (Frigon) Zarek, of Mansfield, MA; Lorie A. (Zarek) Webber of Riva, MD; and Linda J. (Zarek) O'Connor of Mansfield, MA. She was the adoring grandmother of Theodore S. Zarek and his fiancée, Elizabeth Beasley, Amy E. Zarek, Amanda J. Zarek, Kathleen A. Webber, Andrew D. Webber, Kerin A. Webber, Caroline M. Webber, Nathaniel F. O'Connor, and Julie M. O'Connor. She was the sister of Louise Hamilton of Attleboro, MA, and was predeceased by her siblings: Dorothy Bergevine, Alice Horton, James Kinney, and Marjorie Honeycutt. She leaves several nieces and nephews, many dear friends, and her fellow classmates of the Class of 1955.Friends and family are cordially invited to honor and remember Joan by gathering for a Visitation on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA.Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend the Funeral on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. from the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, North Attleboro, followed by a Funeral Service at 10:00 a.m. at Second Congregational Church, 50 Park Street, Attleboro, MA.Burial will immediately follow in Oak Knoll Cemetery, Rehoboth, MA, at which time Joan will be laid to rest alongside her dear late husband, Frank.A Children's Room is available during the visitation.In recognition of Joan's love of flowers and sun flowers, flowers would be graciously welcomed. For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200