Shrewsbury – Joanne F. Robbins (Shelley), age 79, of Shrewsbury, formerly of Wilmington and Scituate, passed away on May 13, 2023, at the UMass Medical Center in Worcester following a brief illness.
Joanne was born in Stoneham, MA, on January 15, 1944; she was the dear daughter of the late Margaret “Dot” Shelley and the late Michael Shelley. Joanne was raised and educated in Wilmington, MA, and a graduate of Wilmington High School with the Class of 1961.
Joanne married the love of her life and high school sweetheart John J. Robbins, Jr.; they shared more than 54 years together before his passing this past April. Joanne and John settled in Wilmington for several years before moving to New Hampshire for a few years and then they fell in love with Scituate; moving there in the early 1980’s. Joanne loved living by the ocean and was thrilled with her new community where she raised her children.
Joanne was a devoted wife, mother, and “Nana”; she loved spending time with her family and was very proud of each of them. When her children were young, Joanne, enjoyed sewing for her family, she loved family holidays and looked forward to family vacations.
Prior to retiring, Joanne, worked as an executive secretary for the Stop and Shop and Star Market executive offices for many years. Joanne was very knowledgeable; she had a great work ethic and an endearing personality; she made many friends at work throughout the years.
In her spare time, Joanne looked forward to playing cards; especially Wist, with friends, traveling to Aruba, “cousins” weekends at the Irish Cottage on Cape Cod, and she loved a good yard sale where she found many “treasures”.
Joanne will be remembered as a wonderful lady; kind, soft spoken, and always willing to help others. She loved her family and friends unconditionally and will forever live on in their hearts.
Joanne was the beloved wife of the late John J. Robbins, Jr., devoted mother of Sheila Flanagan and husband Mike of Worcester, Shelley Robbins of Weymouth and the late John J. Robbins III; dear “Nana” of Regan, Ryan, Emily, Patrick, Meah, Sean, Jamie, Caitlin, Nicolette, and great-granddaughter Zoey. Daughter of the late Margaret “Dot” (Murray) Shelley and Michael Shelley; sister of Margaret Abbott & husband Ray of Old Town, FL, Patricia Morrow & husband Ron of Sarasota, FL, Michael Shelley & wife Liz of North Carolina, and the late Robert Shelley. Joanne is also survived by her sister-in-law Janice Arsenault, her former daughter-in-law Judy Galvin, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather for Visitation at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, on Thursday, June 29th at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Thomas Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, at 11:30 a.m. Interment Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington.
To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com.
