Joan Balas Bucci, age 85, the beloved wife of John A. Bucci passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on May 11, 2025, after a brief illness.

Joan was born in Bridgeport, CT on November 21, 1939, to the late George Balas and Liboria Russo Balas, and was a long-time resident of Bridgeport before moving to Shelton.

Joan, a graduate of Harding High School in 1957, began her work career at Dictaphone in Bridgeport before becoming a stay-at-home mom to raise her four children. Joan returned to the workforce and started a long career at VARCA Inc., a vocational workplace for adults with special needs in Derby, CT.  In 2003, Joan was awarded the Connecticut Treasure Award from the State of Connecticut which was presented by then Lieutenant Governor M. Jodi Rell. After several decades of loyal service, Joan retired from VARCA as the Executive Director in 2018.

Joan was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother sister and friend.  She always put the needs of her family and others before her own.  You could often find Joan on a Sunday morning listening to her favorite Italian Songs while cooking.

Joan always looked forward to vacations in Cape Cod as well as going to the Casino.  She also enjoyed playing cards and watching the UConn Women Huskies as well as the New York Yankees. Most of all, Joan cherished quality time with her family.

In addition to her husband John of 66 years, Joan is survived by her children; daughter Karen Bucci, sons Anthony Bucci and his wife Catherine, Scott Bucci and his wife Denise, Christopher Bucci and his wife Lori. Six grandchildren: Amanda Steffen and her husband John, Matthew Bucci, Victoria Bauer and her husband Christian, Jennifer Bucci, John Bucci, Alexandra Bucci and her fiancée Justin Greene.

Joan leaves behind her loving and caring sister Doris Alexander; Sisters-in-law; Anna Johnson and her husband Robert; Marie Strona, Terry Maklari and her husband Steve. Joan is also survived by her nieces and nephews Ed, Tom, Susan, Jackie, Amy, Mark, Leslie, Chase, Marnie and Lori.

Joan was predeceased by her mother and father-in-law Angelo and Theresa Bucci, brother-in-law Dominic Bucci and his wife Natalie, and brother-in-law Richard Strona.

Friends and family may visit on Thursday May 15th from 4-7 p.m. in the Adzima Funeral Home 50 Paradise Green Place Stratford.  Funeral services will be on Friday, May 16th at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home, followed by interment in St. John's Cemetery, Stratford.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American School for the Deaf (ASD) 139 North Main Street West Hartford, CT 06107 (www.asd-1817.org).