Joan M. Rivers

Joan M. (Minicucci) Rivers, 86, lifelong resident of Manchester and beloved wife to the late Carl F. Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, January 9, 2019. She was born in Manchester on December 7, 1932 to the late Charles Sr. and Elsie (Carini) Minicucci. Joan grew up in Manchester, attended local schools, and was a graduate of Manchester High School, class of 1951. She was survivor of the 1944 Hartford Circus Fire. Before her retirement, she worked as a financial collector/manager for Beneficial Finance & Savings Bank of Manchester. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends playing cards, bingo, and her occasional gambling trips to Atlantic City and Foxwoods. Joan & Carl frequented their second home in Vermont often. While there they enjoyed attending auctions and church dinners as well as playing scat. Joan also enjoyed the Manchester Senior Center, participating in activities and trips. Joan was a parishioner of St. James Church, Manchester. As her family knows, she is the "real Joan Rivers". Joan is survived by her son John Rivers and his wife Marilyn of Tolland, her daughter Terri Pelletier and her husband Gary of Ware, MA., her six grandchildren Jason, Melissa, Amanda, Matthew, Alison, and Kimberly; seven great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, her brother David Minicucci as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Carl, she was predeceased by her brother Charles Minicucci Jr. and her sister Esta (Minicucci) Gilmore. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, January 13, 2019 from 2-5 p.m. at Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home, 400 Main St, Manchester. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 14, 2019, at 10 a.m. at St. James Church, 896 Main St., Manchester. Guests are asked to please go directly to church. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Manchester. Memorial donations in Joans name may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241. To leave an online message of condolence for her family, please visit www.holmeswatkins.com .







Services

Calling Hours
Sunday
January 13, 2019
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home
400 Main St
Manchester, CT 06040


Mass of Christian Burial
Monday
January 14, 2019
10:00 AM to TBD
St. James Church
896 Main St.
Manchester, CT 06040


Committal
Monday
January 14, 2019
11:30 AM
St. James Cemetery
368 Broad St
Manchester, CT 06040