Joanne M. (Murray) Deschenes

Joanne M. Deschenes, 89, of Lowell, formerly of Tyngsborough, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. 

Born in Tyngsborough in 1936, Joanne spent most of her life living on Long Pond before moving to Lowell in recent years. She was a member of the Tyngsborough Senior Center and the Tyngsborough American Legion Post 247 Women's Auxiliary, where she served faithfully for 30 years, including five years as president. 

Professionally, Joanne enjoyed a very successful career in real estate. She was a member of the Massachusetts Board of Realtors and dedicated 33 years to Century 21 Sager and Century 21 Stephen Lawrenson. In her later years, she was affiliated with Coco, Early & Associates of Dracut. 

Joanne was predeceased by her beloved husband, Maurice, in 1996, and her son Robert in 2024. Above all, her greatest joy was her family. She leaves her son Douglas Deschenes and his wife Donna (Gilbride) of Newburyport, MA, and Steven Deschenes and his companion Kerry Owens of Nashua, NH, with whom she deeply cared for. She also leaves four grandchildren: Lindsey (Deschenes) Belknap and her husband Daniel of Cambridge, MA; Evan Deschenes and his wife Julianna of South Portland, ME; Austin Deschenes and his companion Molly McCreery of New Ipswich, NH; and Alyssa Deschenes of Nashua, NH. She was blessed with four great- grandchildren, Milo, Ruby, and Max Belknap, and Remington Deschenes. 

She also leaves two brothers, John Murray of Tyngsborough and James Murray and his wife Joyce of Naples, ME. She was predeceased by her loving sisters, Rita Letendre and June Swiniarski. Joanne is also survived by many nieces and nephews, with whom she treasured spending time. 

Joanne is survived by her dearest best friend, and longtime companion of 25 years, Vincenzo (Jim) Milinazzo of Lowell, with whom she reconnected with at their 50th high school reunion and remained together since. 

Visitation will be held on Sunday, Sept. 14, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Tyngsborough Funeral Home, 4 Cassaway Dr., Tyngsborough. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, Sept. 15, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 95 Lakeview Avenue, Tyngsborough. Burial will follow in Tyngsborough Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org.

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