SACO – Joan (Doughty) Lachance passed away peacefully on Oct. 18, 2023 with her daughter by her side at the Inn of Atlantic Heights in Saco. Joan was born in Portland on June 29, 1931, to the late Evans and Geraldine Doughty.

She graduated from Deering High School and Chamberlain School in Boston, Mass.

Her work history included Porteous, Mitchell and Braun as a buyer and Blue Cross, Blue Shield as a supervisor until her children were born. She then became a “stay-at-home” Mom, which was her favorite role of all.

She married Robert Lachance in May, 1954. Due to his career with Nabisco and Wilson Tire, they resided in Bangor…Shrewsbury, Mass.… Flanders, N.J. and Lebanon, N.H.…returning to their roots in Maine after his retirement.

Robert preceded her passing after 56 years of marriage.

Joan was a member in the First Parish Congregational Church in Saco and Helping Hands (Shriners’ Wives) …and a volunteer at the Saco Food Pantry and Dyer Library, until becoming legally blind due to macular degeneration. Giving was at the core of her being.

She enjoyed reading (and later, listening to) books, crafts and socializing with friends, but her greatest joy was the time spent with her family. Her most valuable possessions were all the memories that she built throughout her blessed life. Although she became blind, she continued to see the beauty all around her and within everyone.

She loved “hugs, not handshakes” and said the only friends she didn’t have were the people that she hadn’t met yet.

Joan is survived by her son, Glenn and his fiancé, Cindy Sidebotham of Brookfield, Conn., her daughter, Allison and husband Robert of Saco; grandson, Andrew Schmidt and family of Essex Junction, Vt., granddaughters Jennifer Lachance Poirrier and family of Berwyn, Pa., and Jessica Schmidt Lim and family of Lawrenceville, N.J.

The family of Joan wish to thank all the angels and friends (they know who they are) who have given such great support to her and to us.

A private graveside memorial service is planned.

Memorial gifts

may be sent to:

Treasurer, State of Maine

Maine State Library

Talking Book Program

64 SHS

Augusta, ME 04333-0064

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