Joan M. Serbst

Joan M. (Wolowiec) Serbst, 84, was reunited with her husband on Friday, April 12, 2024. She was the devoted wife of the late Gerald F. Serbst for 57 years before his passing in March of this year.

Born in Fall River, MA in 1939, she was the daughter of the late John and Florence (Augustine) Wolowiec. Joan was a member of the 1957 graduating class of Mount St. Mary’s in Fall River, MA. She was a graduate of the Katherine Gibbs School and also attended Bryant University. Joan was the Operating Room Manager at Rhode Island Hospital for many years before retiring.

Joan was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Bristol. She also was a member of the choir at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church for many years. Joan enjoyed being a proud member of the Red Hat Society for many years.

Joan, along with her husband Gerry and their two children, Jonathan and Lee, embraced life and enjoyed a lifetime of travel in Florida and the Caribbean, spending 30 years vacationing at their condo in Mexico. Like Gerry, Joan was an excellent cook, and loved making ‘stuffies’ for their annual 4th of July celebration to accompany Gerry’s award-winning chowder! They also enjoyed dining out with family and friends, and often entertained them at their home. When not travelling or cooking, Joan was an avid reader, and particularly enjoyed Robert B. Parker novels by the waterfront, accompanied by her beloved Gerry at Wally St. beach or Colt Park.

Joan will forever be remembered for her warm smile, her shining blue eyes, her unique hairstyle, and her colorful and sharp fashion sense! She was a caring and loving wife, mother, and friend, who would always take time to offer words of encouragement to those who might be in need.

Joan is survived by her children: Jonathan Serbst (Jennifer Bray) and Liesel Serbst (Ronald Burch); her beloved cat: Mindy; and many extended family and friends.

She was pre-deceased by her husband Gerry and her parents.

A Visiting Hour will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood Street, Bristol from 9:00 AM- 10:00 AM. Her funeral will start from Sansone Funeral Home at 9:00 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 330 Wood Street, Bristol. She will be laid to rest at North Burial Ground, Hope Street, Bristol.

*** For those who cannot attend in person, the Mass will be live streamed on St. Mary's Facebook page, "St. Mary's Church, Bristol, RI". ***

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