Joan L. (Berthiaume) Mulligan

Naugatuck – Joan L. (Berthiaume) Mulligan, age 84, passed away peacefully at Waterbury Hospital on Thursday February 26th, 2026. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Terrence N. Mulligan.

Joan was born in Southbridge, MA on February 12, 1942, the daughter of the late George O. and Julia (Klockowski) Berthiaume. In high school she was a popular student, having been a majorette for her high school marching band and later was crowned Queen of Southbridge by the community.

Joan and Terry were married in 1962. Shortly after, Terry enlisted in the Airforce and at Luke’s Air Force Base in Phoenix, AZ, Joan served as a medical assistant for an orthopedist. While Terry was serving overseas in Vietnam, Joan was a billing assistant at American Optical in Southbridge, MA. When Terry returned, they lived in New Rochelle, NY where she taught baton twirling as an afterschool activity at the local community schools and sang in the church choir. By 1978 Joan and Terry had three children, Shannon, Sean, and Heather. Joan worked as a certified podiatric medical assistant for 15 years and then transitioned back to medical billing.

After Terry’s passing, Joan moved to Naugatuck to be closer to her family. Joan was an active member of the community; a member of the Naugatuck Women’s club, Naugatuck Community Choir, and a member of the Naugatuck Senior Center enjoying Bingo on Fridays and Mississippi Marble on Tuesdays.  Joan was particularly instrumental in the Red Hat Society, serving as the Naugatuck President, also known as the Queen Mother. Joan enjoyed singing, trips to Cape Cod, and was an avid fan of UCONN women’s basketball.

She leaves her family to cherish her memory, Shannon Mulligan and her husband James Weiland Jr. of Newtown, Sean Mulligan of Saratoga, NY, and Heather McKeon and her partner Brian McBrayer of Naugatuck; her loving grandchildren Zachary, Nicholas, and Julia Weiland, Gavin and Ethan McKeon, Molly Mulligan, and bonus family Kristin Mullaney and children Kevin and Kamryn Mullaney; and many other relatives and close friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday March 5, 2026 from 5-7 p.m. at the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main Street, Naugatuck. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday March 6, 2026 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church Street, Naugatuck. Burial is private. To send an online condolence or share a memory, please visit naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.

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