Joan Marie Stankawich Barre, of Milford, beloved wife of the late Frank Barre, passed away on April 7, 2026

Joan Marie Stankawich Barre, 94, a lifetime resident of Milford, beloved wife of the late Frank Barre, passed away on April 7, 2026. Born on September 7, 1931 in Milford, she was the daughter of the late Steven and Teresa (“Tessie”) Stankawich.

Joan was born and raised on her parents’ dairy farm in Milford, where her parents, her family, and her sister’s family later occupied the remaining corner and lived side by side, creating a close-knit foundation that shaped her life. She remained deeply rooted in Milford, the town she loved. Joan spent more than 70 years in the home her husband of nearly 50 years, Frank, built for their family, where together they raised their five children. That home has been integral to the family for generations.

Joan was a devout Catholic. She was an active and involved member of Christ the Redeemer Church, being one of the first parishioners when the church opened.

Joan devoted over five decades of her life as a secretary with the Milford school system. Her career took her through Milford High School, Jonathan Law High School, and Foran High School, where she was the first principal’s secretary when it opened. Joan finished her very rewarding career at the Superintendent’s Office. She was a beloved presence to students and staff alike. During her years at Foran, she chaperoned numerous high school trips, traveling far beyond Milford to places as distant as Europe and Russia-experiences she cherished deeply.

Always open to new challenges, Joan embraced learning to swim later in life, spending her lunch hours with a physical education teacher at Foran. That same adventurous spirit carried into her travels with Frank, as the two embarked on cross-country drives together, exploring destinations from the Smoky Mountains to California.

In retirement, Joan continued nurturing the relationships she held dear. She stayed closely connected with coworkers and “school chums” through the “Lunch Bunch,” affectionately named for their regular gatherings filled with laughter and companionship. At home, she lovingly tended to her family’s gardens, caring for bulbs planted many years before and ensuring they continued to bloom season after season. Her beloved magnolia was ready to bloom the day she passed. In earlier years, Joan would walk miles a day throughout Milford, chatting as she encountered the countless members of the community who knew and loved her.

Above all, Joan cherished her family. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren deeply, and took so much pride in their accomplishments and mere existence. Joan loved many dogs and granddogs throughout her life, holding a particularly special place in her heart for Kayla.

Joan will be remembered for her kindness, her sense of community, and the joy she brought to those around her. Her legacy lives on in the family she nurtured, the friendships she maintained, and the countless lives she touched.

Joan is survived by her children, Pamela (Anthony) Barre Detoro, Mark S. (Judy) Barre, Frank C. (Brenda) Barre, Julie Barre Ucci, and Paticia (Steven) Barre Suto; her special niece, Carrie Beggs Philbrick; fourteen grandchildren; twenty great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Joan is predeceased by her grandson, Jeffrey Detoro, and her sisters, Jean Stankawich and Joyce Stankawich Beggs.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Monday, April 13, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad Street, Milford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the Redeemer Church, 325 Oronoque Road, Milford (MEET DIRECTLY AT CHURCH). Interment will follow at Saint Mary Cemetery, Buckingham Avenue, Milford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html

To leave online condolences, please visit our website at www.codywhitefuneralservice.com