In Loving Memory of Mary Joan Williams Schiavoni (Joan)

Mary Joan Williams Schiavoni, affectionately known by her family and friends as “Joan,” was born on May 19, 1933, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and peacefully passed away on Saturday evening, September 13, surrounded by her children. Joan’s kindness, grace, and warmth touched all who knew her.

Reflecting her childhood nickname “the pearl,” Joan’s gentle and sweet personality shone brightly. Raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, she attended Laurelton Hall, Marymount High School, and graduated from Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York. She later earned her Master’s in Education from Boston College, demonstrating her love of children as a talented kindergarten and first-grade teacher in Boston and Needham, Massachusetts, and later in Huntington, New York.

Joan married her beloved husband, Tancred Vincent Schiavoni, on February 11, 1961, in Fairfield, Connecticut. They first lived in Huntington, New York, before settling in Lloyd Harbor. Together, they built a life full of love and cherished memories during their nearly sixty-year marriage.

She is survived by four of her five children: Tancred V. Schiavoni, III, Anne Louise Hanstad, Andrea Joan Padilla, Marcia Schiavoni Gray, and their spouses. Joan’s legacy also lives on through her twelve grandchildren—Teddy, Madeleine, and Colin Gray; Sabrina, Samantha, Christopher, and Kristen Padilla; Virginia, Haley, and Mary Grace Hanstad; Cecilia and Tancred Schiavoni IV—and her sister Anne Louise Strachan.

Joan and Tancred endured the heartbreaking loss of their second son, Charles Thomas Schiavoni, at only 19 years old. Yet, her remarkable grace and unwavering faith sustained her through such profound grief, demonstrating her resilient spirit.

Her love for the beach brought her peace and joy—from early summers in Lordship and Madison, Connecticut, to days at Jennings Beach and countless Fire Island excursions with five kids in tow. Joan was the ultimate hostess, with hors d’oeuvres always ready for seaside gatherings. She loved gardening and had a gift for arranging flowers, a joy that lasted into her later years.

Joan had a quiet strength, a nurturing spirit, and an unwavering presence that made her the heart of our family. She cherished every holiday and family gathering, always insisting on hosting even well into her eighties. She was everything a wife and mother should be—generous, steady, loving, and deeply devoted.

After the loss of her beloved husband, Joan was fortunate to spend her later years in Ipswich, Massachusetts, near her youngest daughter, Marcia Gray.

May Joan be met by the embrace of her beloved husband and son, Charlie. Her spirit will forever be a beacon of love, grace, and kindness.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, September 19, at the M.A. Connell Funeral Home in Huntington Station, New York, 934 New York Ave, Huntington Station, NY 11746. A funeral service will take place on Saturday morning at 9:15 am at St. Patrick’s R.C. Church in Huntington, New York, 400 Main St, Huntington, NY.

In lieu of flowers, Joan’s preference was that donations kindly be made to the Charles T. Schiavoni Memorial Scholarship at Georgetown University. Gifts can be made online at giving.georgetown.edu with a note in the “Other” field for the Charles T. Schiavoni Memorial Scholarship; or checks can be sent to:

Georgetown University

Gift Processing

Department Number 0734

Washington, DC 20073-0734

Please include a note that the donation is for the Charles T Schiavoni Scholarship.