PEABODY, Mass. — Joan Helen Parisien of Peabody, formerly of North Adams, passed away peacefully March 29, 2016, under hospice care at Pilgrim Rehab and Nursing Center.

She was born January 11, 1932, in North Adams, the beloved daughter of William Arthur Parisien and Helen Angeline (Gazzaniga) Parisien. She attended local schools and graduated from Drury High School in 1949 and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1953.

In her early years, she taught at Haskins Elementary School in North Adams and later taught in Maryland and New York. 

She was involved in politics, especially working on John F. Kennedy’s campaign for the Massachusetts Senate. Her mother, Helen, enjoyed sharing the photo of her with JFK. Returning to North Adams to be closer to family while raising five children was very important to her. She also worked at Rosasco’s Travel Agency and other local companies.

Survivors include her four daughters, Mary Helen Landergren and husband Dee of Gloucester, Mass.; Coleen Quinlan and husband Stephen of Saugus, Mass.; Maureen McGrory of Ipswich, Mass.; and Joan Marie Marchant and husband Matthew of Danvers, Mass.; a son, Thomas P. McGrory Jr. and wife Joyce of Adams; one sister, Marcia A. Dagnoli and husband Donato of Adams; one brother, Dr. William A. Parisien II, DDS, and wife Ann of Hadley, Mass.; one brother-in-law, Juris Zauls of Brewster, Mass.; 11 grandchildren - Kip Landergren, Caitlin and Kerri Quinlan, Kyle McGrory, Hannah, Maxavier and Emmett Marchant, and Andrew, Matthew, Daniel and Joshua McGrory; and nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by one sister, Mary Brenda Zauls, who died on June 7, 2013; and two brothers, Louis W. Parisien, who died on July 17, 1955, and David Parisien, who died in infancy.

Funeral services: The funeral for Joan Parisien will be Saturday, April 9, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals West Chapels, 521 Main St., North Adams. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.

Calling hours will be Saturday morning from 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to Louis Parisien Memorial Award, MCLA, 375 Church St, North Adams, MA 01247.