It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Joanne Farrace-Jenci, 82, of Shelton, CT.

Born on April 2,1942 in Bridgeport, CT, Joanne was the daughter of Joseph Burns and Anne O'Brien.

Joanne was raised in Stratford, CT where she attended Eli Whitney Elementary, Wooster Middle School, and Stratford High School.  After becoming an X-Ray technician, Joanne settled and raised her children in Milford, CT.

Joanne had a wonderful life, full of love and celebration.  Her relationships were deep and loyal, and extended from life-long friends in Connecticut to more recent friends in California and Florida.

As a fantastic cook and consummate host, wherever she went, festivities inevitably followed.  If socializing was a hobby, it was one she had mastered.  She embraced her Irish heritage, skillfully expressed though her infamous Irish-knit sweaters and Afghan blankets.  She was also an avid boater, traversing long island sound enroute to Port Jefferson, as well as the canals of Ft. Lauderdale.

She was ever the optimist, facing life's challenges head on and persevering on all counts.  While ALS became her unassailable nemesis, she faced her diagnosis with grace, elegance, strength and courage.

Joanne lived her life as she left it, surrounded by family and friends.  She is survived by her loving spouse Thomas; her children, twin sons John and Scott Farrace, and daughter Kristine Shine; as well as four grandchildren, Sky, Will, Annie and Landon, all of whom she loved and cared for dearly.  She is predeceased by her parents and brother Jimmy.

A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. at First United Church of Christ, 34 W. Main St., Milford. The burial will be private.

The family invites friends to join them for a final toast at noon that same day at Stonebridge Restaurant in Milford.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to ALS United Connecticut, whose support and care was invaluable to her and the entire family. https://alsunitedct.org/

To offer the family online condolences please visit www.dennisanddarcy.com