Joan Rosalie Mooney

Joan Rosalie (née Brands) Mooney, 92, went home to Our Lord on the Feast of Corpus Christi, June 7, 2026. She was the beloved wife of the late Eugene “Gene” Edmond Mooney (1929-2016) for 62 years, a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to her large family.

Joan was born on September 4, 1933 in Akron, Ohio where she grew up. She is the daughter of Bernard B. Brands (1887 - 1954) and Rosa M. (née Christ) Brands (1891 - 1986). Her father was a decorated U.S. Army veteran having served in World War I. Joan attended East High School in Akron where she graduated in 3½ years in the Class of 1951. While in high school she was a member of Y-Teen, the Latin Club, Swim Team, and Girl Scouts. Joan was a graduate of The School of Nursing of Akron City Hospital in Akron, Ohio where she earned her certificate in nursing as an RN in 1954.

In her youth, Joan traveled extensively with her parents and siblings having been to every state within the continental United States. As the youngest of seven children, she often spoke of life during World War II where her siblings served in each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces – Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. She lived in Ohio, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire with her husband and family. She would assist at her children’s schools and enjoyed corresponding with cherished friends from her “Study Club” in Ohio. She loved her anniversary parties and family reunions.

Joan married her beloved Eugene “Gene” Edmond Mooney on May 8, 1954 at Annunciation Church in Akron, Ohio. The two met on Easter Sunday, and celebrated their 62nd Wedding Anniversary on May 8, 2016. Joan was a devout Roman Catholic. She was well known for her strong faith in God and love of family, cooking, baking, poetry, theater, reading, square dancing, puzzles & board games, musicals, singing, and reminiscing about childhood memories.

Joan will be greatly remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved children and would hold the babies in the family for hours. Joan was tremendously proud of her large family on which her life revolved. She made every holiday special and memorable.

Joan was predeceased by her husband of 62 years Eugene “Gene” Edmond Mooney; her parents Bernard B. and Rosa M. Brands; her three sisters and three brothers; three grandchildren; and one son-in-law.

Joan will be dearly missed by all those she leaves behind until all are reunited again in the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven, including her seven children: Mary T. Winter of Plano, Texas, Diane V. Porcaro (Alfred Porcaro, Jr.) of Melrose, Massachusetts, Patricia S. Christian (Dean Christian) of Delmar, New York, Frederick W. Mooney (Svitlana Mooney) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Loretta J. Edmonds (Jim Edmonds) of Goffstown, New Hampshire, Margaret M. Roy (Mark Roy) of Merrimack, New Hampshire, and Maureen C. Mooney (Mark Derby) of Merrimack, New Hampshire; her 24 grandchildren: Jocelyn, Michael, Zachary, Brianna, Eleni, Monica, Stephanie, Joshua, Jennifer, Aimee, Alfred III, Sharon, Gregory, Emily, Erick, Alexander, Teresa, Matthew, Steven, Rosalie, Jessica, Christie, Elise, David; and great-grandchildren: Riley, Thomas, Luke, Juliana, Alfred, Luciana, Alessandra, Gia, Hugo, Christine, Kendall, William, April, Christian.

Visiting hours will be at the Rivet Funeral Home, 425 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack, New Hampshire on Sunday, June 14, 2026 from 5 – 7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John Neumann Church, 708 Milford Road, Merrimack, New Hampshire on Monday, June 15 at 9:30 AM. Burial will follow at Last Rest Cemetery also in Merrimack.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s name may be made to: Birthright of Manchester, 448 Donald Street, Bedford, NH 03110