Northampton, MA – Hannah “Joan” Christina (O’Shea) Finn, age 90, died peacefully surrounded by family at Christopher Heights of Northampton on August 11, 2026. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, an energetic lover of life with a passion for music, singing and dancing. Joan touched the lives of so many with her friendliness, generosity and humor.
Born in Cahirciveen, County Kerry, Ireland on December 11, 1935, she was the daughter of Denis and Johanna Garvey O’Shea. At age 19 she emigrated to the United States, and settled in Chicago, Illinois. There she met and married William Finn, who had recently arrived from Ireland. In 1960 they relocated to Bethel, CT, and they shared 44 years of marriage until his death in 2003.
An active resident of Bethel, CT for 63 years, Joan was a devout Roman Catholic, and a parishioner of St. Mary Church, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, taught Catechism and attended Mass daily. Joan embraced her Irish heritage and was a member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Danbury Division. She was honored as the Lady Hibernian of the Year in 1999.
Joan had a lifelong passion for serving others, and after becoming widowed she increased her volunteer work with the Saint John Paul II Center, Off the Streets, Dorothy Day Hospitality House and Brotherhood in Action. Joan received Bethel’s Outstanding Senior Citizen Award in 2014. Joan moved to Christopher Heights of Northampton, MA in 2023, where she enjoyed a vibrant assisted living community and made several friends among the residents and staff.
Joan leaves behind her loving family, her son Denis Finn of New Fairfield, CT; her daughters: Mary (Maribeth Erb) Finn, of Northampton, MA, Sioban (George) Haldeman of Melrose, MA, and Cathleen (Carey Conkey-Finn) Finn of Brighton, MA; seven grandchildren: Stephen (Amanda) Finn, Lauren (John Lee) Finn, Daniel Finn, Claire (Eli Baum) Haldeman, Hannah and Leah Finn-Erb, and Maeve Haldeman; great grandchildren: Ava and Lucas Finn; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; her brothers: Michael and Cornelius; and her sisters: Mary Dullea, Sheila Sullivan, and Catherine Murphy.
The family will receive friends on Friday, September 25, 2026 from 4-6 pm at Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel, CT 06801.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Church Bethel on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 10:00 am. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Bethel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to be made to: Off the Streets Danbury, PO Box 591, Bethel, CT 06801 or Dorothy Day Hospitality House, PO Box 922, Danbury, CT 06813.
Further details can be found at cornellmemorial.com.
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