*****PLEASE NOTE FUNERAL MASS is at 10:00 AM*****

Of Waltham, entered eternal rest & peace Sunday morning June 5th, 2016 with loving family by her side at the Maristhill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Waltham after a brief but courageous battle with cancer at the age of 69.

Born on March 20, 1947 in Waltham; daughter of the late Raymond Lyttle and Irene (Desmond) Lyttle, Joan was raised in Watertown and has been a resident of Waltham for many years.

A graduate of Watertown High School with the Class of 1965, Joan was a devoted & loving homemaker to her family throughout her life. When her children got older Joan worked in the Day Care for the Waltham YMCA for over 20 years and most recently until her retirement, she worked part-time at the Waltham City Hall.

There is truly nothing more powerful than a mother’s love for her family. Following her children and grandchildren’s lives was so important. From hockey, to Baseball and Lacrosse she tried to be at each special event supporting her children and grandchildren.

In her spare time she would attend Bible Study at the Grace Chapel in Lexington.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 48 years Thomas J. Fitzsimmons, her devoted & loving children Waltham Firefighter Michael Fitzsimmons and his wife Jennifer of Waltham and Marianne Dann and her husband Shaun of Waltham, and her cherished grandchildren Tommy, Philip, Ryan, Cadence, Shaun and Kevin. In addition she is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

Dear sister of the late Judie McPhail and Lynda Gosselin.

Relatives & Friends are respectfully invited to attend Funeral Services from the Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco & Sons Memorial, 773 Moody Street, WALTHAM on Thursday morning June 9th at 9:00 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in celebration of Joan’s Life in Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham at 10:00 a.m. Visiting Hours will be held in the Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco & Sons Memorial in WALTHAM on Wednesday June 8th from 4 – 8 p.m. Parking attendants will be on duty.

Burial will be held private for Joan’s Family at the Massachusetts Veterans National Cemetery in Bourne.

In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in Joan’s memory to the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 17 Court St., Boston, MA 02108.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joan M. Fitzsimmons (Lyttle), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.