Joan Chesnel ... enjoyed quilting, Yahtzee; at 76

ROCHESTER -- Joan Beaudoin Chesnel, 76, died at at her home on Thursday, Nov. 14, surrounded by her family.

She was born on April 29, 1948, in Rochester to the late Pauline Beaudoin Bennett and Robert Bennett. She was raised by her maternal grandparents, Modeste and Leo Beaudoin, and was a lifelong resident of Rochester. She spent her summers at the family beach house in Wells, Maine.

She was predeceased by her brothers Bernard and Ronald Bennett of Barrington and Rochester, respectively, and great-grandson Grady McDougal of Somersworth.

She is survived by her husband Donald Chesnel of Rochester, her sisters-in-law Susan Gibbs Bennett of Barrington and Marilyn Simon Bennett of Berwick, Maine; her daughters Kathleen Chesnel Spiers and her husband Percy of Rochester; Tina Ouellette and her husband Ed of Sanford, Maine; Lisa Chesnel and her husband Matthew Sheehey of Arlington, Va.; her grandchildren, Brandon Spiers and his wife Melissa; Haley Spiers McDougal and her husband Connor; Devin Spiers Boyd and her husband William; Amber Ouellette; Peter and Patrick Sheehey; her great-grandchildren, Owen and Jackson Spiers; Finnigan and Quinn McDougal; and Autumn Boyd.

Joan graduated in the class of 1966 at Spaulding High School in Rochester. She married her husband Donald 57 years ago on April 15, 1967.

She worked part time for years at Carney Drug Store and Care Pharmacy in Rochester and later at Calef's Gift Shop in Barrington. She was active in the Rochester Emblem Club #40, where she served as president and held various positions in the state Emblem Club association.

She enjoyed home decorating and home improvement and was a skilled painter, wall-paperer, and designer. She was an excellent seamstress and quilter and loved to crochet and knit. She liked to play Yahtzee, Skip-Bo, and Words with Friends, and do crossword puzzles. She loved to watch the Hallmark Channel and true crime TV shows.

Her family will miss her French-Canadian specialty foods, especially tourtiere, crepes, Boston baked beans, and crème puffs. She was also known for her homemade applesauce, clam chowder, strawberry shortcake, apple pie, and American chop suey.

She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and grand-dogs. She will be remembered as a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister. She will also be remembered for her spoiled pets, including Brandy, Bear, Lido, Nikki, ZZ, and Sadie.

She will be deeply missed and forever loved by her family, friends, and neighbors.

Joan was sick for many years and the family would love to thank all the dedicated staff at Mobile Integrated Health, including Stephanie, Mike, John, and Bobby. The family also thanks the staff at Cornerstone VNA, including Erin, Kate "Dottie", and Shauna.