Surrounded by her loving family, Joan C. Francis, 81, passed away on June 3. She was the beloved wife of David Francis. She was born Nov. 27, 1941, in Worcester, Massachusetts, to Clifton and Josephine Bordelais. Joan graduated from Thayer Academy in Braintree, Massachusetts, and the University of Miami in Florida in 1963. She began an elementary teaching career in Massachusetts, then moved to Florida, where she met her future husband. She taught Cuban refugee children in Florida and taught in Selma, Alabama, during the first year of school integration. She then traveled west to California, teaching in two locations, and then to Boston, where she put her husband through Harvard Business School. She then settled in upstate New York, retired from teaching, and raised two daughters.

The only thing that Joan cared about as much as her girls and her many elementary school students were the animals that filled her houses over the years. The first half of her animal life was populated with white toy poodles, always in multiples. The second half was a switch to cats- specifically special needs cats. She was the ultimate foster failure as she adopted every animal she fostered. She was the devoted caregiver to cats that others would not touch because of medical needs and costs. She spent countless hours raising funds for a local shelter in Wilton. She made many lifetime friends with the special people who devote themselves to special needs animals.

Joan is survived by her devoted husband of 58 years, David; daughters, Victoria Triffin and Amy Tebaldi; four granddaughters, Adella, Josie, Holly, and Aurora; and two beloved cats, Pinky and Rusty.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any of the many local animal shelters that Joan supported, including Forgotten Felines, Westbrook; Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter, Branford; Branford Compassion Club, North Branford; and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah.

In addition to her devotion to animals, Joan will always be remembered for her trademark large red heart-shaped glasses, her outrageous Betsy Johnson accessory collection, and numerous animal-themed handbags.

Friends and family are cordially invited to attend a graveside service to be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 9, at Riverview Cemetery, 39 N. Main St, Essex. Arrangements in care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.