Obituary of Joanne McNamara

Joanne McNamara (Rustico), 82, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2023. She was born in New Britain on October 4, 1941 to Sebastian and Anne Marie Rustico (Marinelli) and attended local schools graduating from New Britain High School in 1960. She married Richard (Dickie) McNamara in 1963, who preceded her in death. Joanne is survived by sons Kevin McNamara and his husband Craig Nowak of Berlin, Keith McNamara of New Britain and grandchildren Keith, Kassidy, Karley and their mother Michelle McNamara of Newington and granddaughter Avery and her mother Christina Rosetti Albert of Fernandina Beach, Florida. Joanne was predeceased by her loving son Patrick, her beloved sister Nancy Rustico and her nephew Christopher Rustico.

From the age of 16, Joanne worked for Stop & Shop, making lifelong friends and retiring after 58 dedicated years. She and Dickie loved to travel, cook, take their boys camping, play games and spend time with their large families. Their house was filled with laughter, love and good food with no judgment if you went for the sweets first. The love she had for her grandchildren was limitless. She delighted in talking with them about their lives and telling them about her own.

She cared for her family unselfishly, loved them unconditionally and never showed up without a pistachio cake or tray of cookies. Sharing her passion for baking was a special connection she had with her grandchildren and her recipes are cherished family heirlooms. Joanne was happy to be a part of every family occasion, and was sharing tips and tricks for how to do a wide variety of things around the house long before the term life hacks was even created. In her later years, she enjoyed playing BINGO at Foxwoods and beating everyone at Scrabble. Joanne had an immense and endearing sense of humor and a contagious laugh, but it is her beautiful smile that we will most remember.

Along with her sons and grandchildren, Joanne is survived by her siblings William Rustico, Jack and Jeannie Rustico, Thomas and Phyllis Rustico, Mary Rustico and Joan Adams, Joseph and Teresa Rustico and in-laws, Kathy McNamara, Howard Asal, John Podbielski and Diane Alverio Melley. In addition, she leaves many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly and will mourn her loss.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 9:00 - 11:00 AM, with a Prayer Service at 11:00 AM at the Farrell Funeral Home, 110 Franklin Square, New Britain, Connecticut. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, New Britain.