Naugatuck Mourns the Loss of Former Mayor Joan B. Taf

Naugatuck lost an icon this weekend when Joan B. Taf, the first woman to be elected mayor of the borough, died at the age of 91. She passed away on Sunday surrounded by her beloved family.

Current mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess told the Republican-American newspaper, “Joan Taf spent most of her life serving others in many ways, as mayor, as well as in many capacities before she became mayor and long after her term ended. She continued her service until the end.” Mayor Hess worked with Taf when she was mayor and burgess and added, “It was an honor to work with her and she will be missed by all.”

Mrs. Taf, as I always addressed her, just as she always called me "Mrs. Janis," was born and raised in New Haven and was a longtime Naugatuck resident. She met her husband Michael Taf in New Haven and he died almost 20 years ago to the date, on June 24. She was involved in local government and volunteering with many organizations for several decades until very recently.

Laurie Taf Jackson recently confirmed that her mother treasured the fact that was the first and only female mayor of Naugatuck.

She was a member of the Democratic Town Committee since 1987, serving as a burgess for 10 years before she became the first and only woman to become mayor. She served as mayor for two terms, from 1999 to 2003.

Mrs. Taf also was the president of the Polish American Club Ladies Auxiliary since 1990 and a member since 1957. She was a member of the Naugatuck Women’s Club for many years and most recently served faithfully as vice chairman for the Housing Authority.

In May 2014, the field at Linden Park was dedicated to the former mayor. The honor was meant to acknowledge how instrumental she was in the project during her term as mayor that made the park what it is today.

She was the proud mother of three daughters, Michele Russell, Joanne Allison and former burgess Laurie Taf Jackson, who all reside in the borough. She was “Babchi” to five grandchildren and a great granddaughter. Ms. Jackson was especially close to her mother and will be lost without her.

Mrs. Taf suffered a series of falls in 2021, which was the reason that Ms. Jackson chose not to run for another term as burgess. She said at the time that taking care of her mother was simply more important and she had no regrets about doing so.

Mrs. Taf volunteered in my classroom at Maple Hill Elementary School as a literacy volunteer for many years, often finding a sub when she couldn't make it. When I moved to Andrew Avenue, she followed me there to work with my first graders. She always said that one of her favorite parts of being the mayor was getting to visit our schools to read to our youngest citizens.

When I performed in SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE, JR. at Maple Hill Elementary School with some sixty students, she wrote a Letter to the Editor of the Rep-Am Wtby about it, singing our praises. She was always so good to me and I will miss her smile. "Babchi" taught me so much about her Polish heritage. She was truly a wonderful lady and I feel as if I have lost a member of my family.

I am honored to be singing at her funeral on Friday. May she rest in eternal peace and keep watch over her beloved borough of Naugatuck.

The wake will be held on Thursday at Naugatuck Valley Memorial Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. The funeral home is located at 240 N. Main St. The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 1006 New Haven Road in Naugatuck, at noon. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery.

Click here for Mrs. Taf’s complete obituary.