Joan (Devlin) Frates

Joan (Devlin) Frates, age 92, of Plymouth MA.  Born May 7, 1932 in Boston, MA to her loving patents, Edmund Craig Devlin and Evelyn Murphy Devlin, she was the third of seven children.   Displaying a keen musical talent at an early age, she appeared regularly as a radio soloist, eventually headlining her own musical television program in the 1950’s.  A High School graduate at age 15, she subsequently earned her Master’s Degree in Education, working first as an elementary school teacher in Norwood MA, and subsequently as a school psychologist.  While working in Norwood, she was introduced by her friend and fellow teacher Margaret to Margaret’s brother, Thomas Frates. The typically cautious Joan surprisingly agreed to marry Thomas at the conclusion of their first date.  Marrying two years later they spent 54 happy years together until Thomas’ death in 2015.  While devoting the majority of her married life to raising her children and caring for her husband, she also found time to continue to work as a school psychologist, a church soloist and choir director, a religious education teacher, in addition to serving as a volunteer for the mentally disabled and advocate for children disabled by rheumatoid arthritis.  A resident of Plymouth, MA since 1976, she peacefully passed away on Monday January 27, 2025 in the presence of her loving son and nephew.  She leaves behind her three devoted children, Elizabeth A. Frates Huffman, Thomas M. Frates, Jr, and Robert J. Frates, her son-in-law Michael W. Huffman, and three grandchildren Michael J. Huffman, David W. Huffman, and Thomas J. Huffman.  She is also survived by her beloved sister Therese Devlin Sweeney her well-loved brothers-in-law James Sweeney of Roslindale MA, and Dr. Guy Geffroy of Narraganset, RI, many wonderful nieces and nephews, and her devoted care-giver Bernadette Barbosa. Although disabled by a spine injury in 2017, she none the less spent the remainder of her life displaying a sunny attitude and wonderful sense of humor.  She spent her days well, and served as an inspiration to her family and friends.  She will be missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in The Holy Name Church, 1689 Centre St. West Roxbury on Saturday February 8, at 10:00 am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment Highland Cemetery, Norwood.

At the conclusion of prayers at Highland Cemetery the family would like to invited everyone to the Olde Colonial Cafe, 171 Nahatan St. Norwood, MA 02062