Joan H. (Curran) Pratt, 80

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NATICK – Like a stone tossed into a smooth lake; Joann has had a rippling effect touching many lives.

Joann (Curran) Pratt, 80, passed away November 24, 2021 after a long battle with Parkinson’s.

Although her family will deeply miss her, she is finally free from the hallucinations and limitations the disease had left her with. She has been reunited with her daughter, Regina after 26 years and sister Terry Brooks.

Born in 1941 to the late Benjamin and Jeanette (Levasseur) Curran, Joann grew up in Auburn, Maine. She graduated from Edward Little High School in 1959 and went on to graduate from Bates College.

As a child, she loved to ice skate and swim. As a mother of three girls, she spent endless hours as a Girl Scout leader, at the side of the swimming pool, at dance recitals and speech debates.

While parenting, she went on to receive her Masters of Arts in Educational and Pastoral Ministry from Emmanuel College in 1979. She then went on to work as a Religious Education Director in many of the local churches, including; St. James, St. Patrick’s, St. Linus, St. John’s and St. Theresa’s.

She was known for her innovative work using Family Clusters as an alternative to traditional religious education classes. Throughout the years, she influenced her three girls greatly in her service to the community.

She volunteered at the local food pantry, was on the advisory board for the Natick Housing Authority and more recently taught ESL through the public library. Joann loved to travel.

Although she would say she didn’t travel that much, she made it to Haiti, Austria, Italy, England, Israel, Canada and many states across the country, including Alaska.

As another way to bring other cultures to her family, she hosted several foreign exchange students with Up with People and other programs.

Joann’s hobbies included sewing, music, photography, playing bridge, collecting nativity sets and gardening. Joann loved flowers. She always made a point of having them around and sharing them with others through her gardens and photography.

Joann is survived by her husband Jim; daughters, Kris (Bob) Gusmini and Gayle (Brad) Moskowitz; grandchildren Shannon, Keith, Sarah Gusmini, Eli and Asa Moskowitz; sister Mary Gruhl; and brothers Ray and Al Curran and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held for Joann on Friday, December 3, 2021. Please use the following link to register.

In lieu of flowers please consider volunteering or giving in Joann’s honor to the elderly, sick and lonely, to whatever extent you are able.

Arrangements by Everett Funeral Home in Natick.

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