Joan Marie Vellequette
1930-Nov. 13, 2012
Los Altos, California

Joan Marie Vellequette, a resident of Los Altos, Calif., for 51 years, passed away peacefully on Nov. 13, 2012.

Joan is survived by her loving husband, Murlin Vellequette; her sister, Margaret Bouthillier (and husband, Conrad); her brother-in-law, Roger Vellequette; her sister-in-law, Bernadette Hall; and her eight children: Joseph Vellequette (and wife Suzy), John Vellequette, David Vellequette (and wife Mary), Mayr Singleton (and husband D.J), Ann Frates, Mark Vellequette (and wife Mary Beth), Michael Vellequette (and wife Kim), and James Vellequette. Joan was blessed with 21 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren -- all of whom she loved deeply.

Joan had a knack for remembering everyone's birthday, graduation and anniversary -- while making it all look easy.

Born Joan Marie Lynch in Chicopee, Mass., her family later moved to Michigan where she attended the University of Detroit as a Chemistry major graduating in 1951. Joan dated Murlin Vellequette in college and they married in 1952.

Over the next nine years, they lived in Huntsville, Detroit, Fort Wayne, Cincinnati, and then moved to California in 1960 when Murlin accepted a position with Fairchild Semiconductor. In Los Altos, they bought one of the first homes in the Highlands area, where they made many close friends in that great neighborhood. Recently, with family and some long-time friends, Joan and Murlin celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, a true milestone of enduring love.

Early on, Joan worked as a Chemist for Ethyl Corp., and then devoted herself to the whirlwind of raising eight children. Joan returned to college and obtained a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University in 1977. She also volunteered for many years with the St. Simon Catholic Parish ministries, the El Camino Hospital Auxiliary, and for St. Francis High School. Later on, she enjoyed being the office manager and psychological testing coordinator for the Behaviordyne Pyschological Corp. in Palo Alto, and she also acted as the bookkeeper for the family business.

Joan's personal interests varied from celebrating and quietly helping her family, to frequent travels, to being an extremely avid reader. Her travels included India, Europe, China, Australia and many trips with family to destinations all over the U.S. Annual summer trips to Myrtle Beach were a favorite, and no one will ever forget seeing Joan and Murlin parasailing together -- way up in the sky -- during one terrific Vellequette and Bouthillier Family Reunion. Joan was always selflessly full of life and love, and she will be dearly missed by all who knew and cherished her.