Joan Laine Gertz, 95, loving wife of 66 years to the late Col. Kenneth D. Gertz, Sr. passed away unexpectedly January 15, 2025.  She was born on December 31,1929 in New Haven, CT, a daughter of the late Joseph and Hellen Dill Laine, and had resided in Cheshire for over 60 years.

She is survived by a daughter and her husband Donna and Gary Thompson of New Milford, her grandchildren and their spouses Scott (Jillian) Thompson of New Milford, Corey (Kimberly) Thompson of Middlebury, Courtney (Daniel) Mingrino of Cheshire, Heather Witcher of TN, and Kyle Gertz of Meriden.  She is also survived by her 10 great grandchildren whom she adored.  In addition to her husband, she is predeceased by her son Kenneth Gertz, Jr, and her grandson Kenneth Gertz III.

Joan was a paraprofessional in the North Haven Schools where she worked with special needs students for 30 years.  She was an avid bingo player at the Masonic Lodge in Hamden. Joan had a wonderful sense of humor.  She was a huge fan of both the men's and women's UCONN basketball teams and tried to never miss a game.  She was considered a second mother to many of her children's and grandchildren's friends.  Joan was very generous and loved by all and she will be greatly missed.

Friends are invited to visit with her family on Sunday January 26th from 4-7 p.m. at BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden.  All are invited to attend her Funeral Mass Monday morning, January 27th at 11 a.m. in the St. Francis Xavior Church, 26 Chestnut Lane New Milford, CT.  For information or to send a condolence please see her obituary at www.beecherandbennett.com.