Joan P. (Whyte) Roy

Watertown – Mrs. Joan P. (Whyte) Roy, of Watertown, died Thursday, April 26, 2018 at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston. She was 74.

Joan was born in Watertown on December 29, 1943, a daughter of the late John and Mary (Bowes) Whyte, and remained a lifelong resident. She was a graduate of Watertown High School and Boston Business School where she learned secretarial and accounting skills.

For years she worked for Bob Webster as an accountant at Accutemp Engineering in Watertown. Joan loved her job and the people she worked with even more. She also took on a second accounting position eight years ago when she went to work for Wellness Medical Supply in Sudbury, a company run by her daughter and son-in-law. She loved that job too.

Joan would tell you however that her most important job in life was being a good mother to her daughter, Sherri. It's been said that long after we are too big to carry in her arms, our mother carries us in her heart . . . and that was certainly the case for Joan. Her selfless devotion to her family was a testament to her faith, her inner strength and her character.

Her happiest days came when Sherri married Mike Kelleher and when her four beloved grandchildren came along. She beamed with delight everytime she was around them.

She also loved to travel with her family and with her longtime companion, the late William Zebal. She enjoyed many memorable cruises, trips to Florida and a couple of visits to Hawaii.

She leaves her daughter, Sheryl P. Kelleher and her husband, Michael, of Sudbury; her grandchildren, Michael T., Jr., Brendan P., Maeve K. and Lily P. Kelleher; her brother and sisters, John P. Whyte of Pennsylvania, Cathy Collins of Scituate and Betty Ferren of California and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Joan was also a sister of the late Mary Lenaghan, Margaret Kearsley and William Whyte.

Family and friends will honor and remember Joan's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, April 29th from 3 to 7 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham, where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Ridgelawn Cemetery, Watertown.

Memorials in her name may be made to The American Lung Association, 1661 Worcester Rd #301, Framingham, MA 01701.