Joan Mary Richter 86, of South Hadley, MA died peacefully on June 16, 2019, at Mont Marie Rehabilitation Center in Holyoke after a courageous battle with a degenerative neurological disease. Joan was predeceased by her parents: Charles L. Richter and Stella (Churchill) Richter and her sister, Margaret Jane "Peggy" Hinson. Joan was born in the family home at 36 Newton Street, South Hadley on August 4, 1932. She lived there until 2005 when she moved to Shadow Brook Estates in South Hadley. Joan graduated from South Hadley High School in 1950 then attended Westfield State College. She continued to upgrade her secretarial skills by attending Springfield Technical College and taking additional classes in stenography. Joan was employed by Worthington Compressors / Atlas Copco for 31 years. She worked in numerous departments including: Purchasing, Sales, Customer Service, Engineering and Marketing. An efficient, cooperative and dedicated employee, she was well liked by her co-workers and received several commendations for her near perfect attendance and her excellent customer service skills. Joan was an active member of St. Patrick's Church in South Hadley where she had served on the Parish Council. Previously Joan had been a member of St. Theresa's Parish. Joan loved sports. She enthusiastically attended basketball games at UMass, Amherst and rarely missed a Red Sox game on TV. She enjoyed playing golf and admired Tiger Woods. Joan was a talented bowler with the "Holyoke Business Group," winning numerous trophies that she proudly displayed. Joan also volunteered her time teaching exercise classes two days a week for the South Hadley Council on Aging and she was a substitute exercise teacher for the Granby Senior Center. Joan enjoyed traveling with friends. Her trips to Rome, Italy; a dude ranch in Arizona; and her Alaskan cruise were some of her favorite adventures. Her intrepid spirit inspired others in her family to venture forth as well. Saturday evenings would find her with friends, square dancing to the caller "Corky" Calkins. On Wednesdays, Joan could be found playing Bridge and Pitch at the South Hadley Council on Aging. Her family fondly remembers the many holiday gatherings Joan hosted on Newton Street. They loved her enthusiasm, tenacity, and sense of humor. Joan is survived by many cousins including: Maureen (Monaghan) King of Vancouver, WA; Kathy (Monaghan) Weibel of Jaffrey, NH; Jane (Monaghan) Bardsley Shephard of Holyoke and their families. She will be greatly missed by all especially her "roomie" Patti Bardsley of Holyoke and her lifelong friend Lois L'Esperance of South Hadley. At Joan's request, there will be no viewing. The funeral Mass will be Thursday August 29 at 10 am in St. Patrick's Church followed by burial in St. Jerome Cemetery, Holyoke. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan's name to St. Patrick's Church, South Hadley or to the South Hadley Council on Aging. For more information please go to curranobrien.com.