Joan K. (Knox) DeBella

Joan Knox DeBella of Mansfield CT, beloved wife of Donald J. DeBella, passed away on January 30, 2023, surrounded by family. She was born in Providence, RI on May 19, 1938, daughter of the late Robert and Barbara (Powers) Knox and lived in Barrington until her marriage. She graduated from the University of Bridgeport in 1958 and moved to Mansfield in 1966. She was a secretary for Mansfield Middle School for 18 years, retiring in 1993, and then worked on a part-time basis for the Mansfield Food Service for 11 years. She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 938 in Willington, CSEA Chapter 408, The Mansfield Historical Society, and Mansfield Senior Center. 

She loved to cook and welcomed everyone to her dinner table. Shelby, Joan’s granddaughter, gave her the nickname of “Meme.” She had a huge heart and welcomed everyone with open arms becoming everyone’s Meme. She was famous for her Pizzelles, Cenci cookies, and every Sunday finishing off the week with fried dough. She was an avid sewer, making her granddaughter’s baby clothes, her daughter’s scrubs for work, and decorated her entire home with her hand sewn curtains. She also used her sewing skills to create clothing for discarded dolls. Joan and Shelby would clean up these dolls and donate them to children who needed someone to love. 

Joan loved the beach; she grew up sailing in Rhode Island with her family. She had a collection of sea-glass, seashells, and even had a few beach decor pieces hidden throughout the farm house. She loved to travel, she was fortunate enough to go on many cruises and to Europe with her friends and family.

She had a love for hummingbirds, just like her mom Barbara. She always said that if you saw a hummingbird, it was Barbara stopping by to say hello! So this spring when our hummingbirds fly back home, keep an eye out for our beloved “Meme.”

Joan is survived by her daughter Candace Colonese, her granddaughter Shelby Colonese and husband Zachary of Ashford CT. Her son Robert DeBella of Coventry CT, and her daughter Kimberly Sharp and her husband JD of VA. She also leaves her grandson Andre DeBella and three nephews, Thomas, Sean, and Michael Mulqueen. Joan is predeceased by her loving husband Donald, whom she married in 1958, her two sisters, Patricia Knox and Judith Knox Mulqueen. 

To honor Joan’s wishes, please make a memorial donation to the Mansfield Historical Society or Saint Jude. 

Joan’s family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, February 17, 2023 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Willimantic CT.  A private ceremony will be held at a future date.

We would like to thank Joan’s beloved caregivers Merle, Cathy, and Jim for helping our family and for showing so much love to Joan. 

We would also like to thank our closest friends who were there for us whenever we needed assistance or a shoulder to lean on. The Roston family, The Damble family, David Duffy, Don Potter, Pat & Kathy Hayes, Nora Stevens, John Mele & family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joan K. (Knox) DeBella, please visit our floral store.