Joan M. Whitaker, age 79, passed away at her home on December 30, 2017. Born in Winthrop, MA on July 9, 1938 she was a daughter of the late Bronislaus & Mary (Vendoloski) Siedzik. Joan was the widow of Paul E. Whitaker; mother of Theresa Rogers of Wallingford, Atty. Paul E. Whitaker & his wife Sharon of Durham and Gene Whitaker & his wife Lisa of Southington; grandmother of James (Marly) & Erik Rogers, Kasi, Shaun, Molly & Matthew Whitaker and Kira Lee Decerb; sister of Kathryn Appi of North Haven and the late John & Peter Siedzik. Joan was employed over 30 years for the downtown New Haven Savings Bank. A resident of Hamden over 50 years she was very active in the Blessed Sacrament Church. Her funeral will be held from BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden on Wednesday, Jan, 3th at 9:00 AM, followed by her Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 AM in the Blessed Sacrament Church, Circular Ave, Hamden. Friends may also visit with her family at the funeral home on Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Interment will take place in All Saints Cemetery, North Haven. Contributions in Joan's memory may be made to ASPCA at www.aspca.org.