Joan Wooster obituary

Former President Church of the Infinite Spirit

Joan M. (Chesnavich) (Cassidy) Wooster, 78, of Wolcott passed away peacefully Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014, at the Vitas Innovation Hospice Care Unit at Saint Mary’s Hospital. She was the widow of Homer P. Wooster Jr.

Joan was born in Waterbury Jan. 1, 1936, the daughter of Walter Anthony and Margaret (Rikteraitis) Chesnavich, and lived most of her life in Oakville and Waterbury. She graduated from South School in Oakville in 1949 as valedictorian and Watertown High School in 1953 as one of the top five highest-ranking students in the class. Later in life she attended Tunxis Community College in Farmington, where she studied graphic arts and design.

She worked as a secretary for many years and, after studying graphic arts, she worked at several printing companies doing computer typesetting and design layout. She also was the office manager for her husband’s business, H.W. Transmissions, for seven years before he retired. She was the secretary of Deerwood Hills Condominium Association of Waterbury from 2005 through 2010.

She was an active member of The Church of The Infinite Spirit in Newington, serving on the board, as trustee, secretary and also past president for a total of 15 years. She also was a trustee on the board of the Connecticut State Spiritualist Association for 10 years. She enjoyed dancing, ceramics, drawing, art, decorating and working with computers. She and her husband also enjoyed traveling to various U.S. states and cruising to Bermuda, the Caribbean Islands, Alaska and Hawaii.

Joan leaves her son, Brian Cassidy and his wife, Tracey, of Middlebury; her daughter, Sandra (Cassidy) Calder and her husband, Jake, of Naugatuck; four grandchildren: Erin Calder, Nikolas and Tyler Cassidy and Kevin Olson; three stepdaughters: Janice Hannis and her husband, Al, of N.C.; Nancy Flaherty and her husband, Kevin, of Torrington; and Laurie Allen and her husband, Chris, of Southbury; and their children and grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son, Scott Patrick Cassidy, and her brother, Walter J. Chesnavich Ph.D.

The family would like to thank the staff at Vitas Innovative Hospice Care for all their kindness and wonderful care. Also a special thanks to her friends Arlene, Angie, Mary and Janet for all your love and support. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

The funeral service will be Saturday, Nov. 15, at 10 a.m. at Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home at 430 Chase Parkway in Waterbury. Burial will follow at New Pine Grove Cemetery in Waterbury. Calling hours will be held Saturday, Nov. 15, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the funeral home.

For more info or to send e-condolences, visit www.chaseparkwaymemorial.com.