Obituary of Joan M. Duplisea

Joan M. Duplisea Bangor and Hermon-- Joan M. (Rimbach) Duplisea, 82, died Tuesday, November 17, 2015, at a Bangor Healthcare facility after a short illness. She was the daughter of John M. and Verna S. (MaQuillan) Rimbach, and she was the most wonderful mother and Nana anyone could ask for. Joan was born in Bangor March 24, 1933. She attended Bangor schools and graduated in 1951. She met her future husband, Leroy, while roller-skating at Auto Rest Park and they were married shortly after. Leroy and Joan settled in Hermon and raised their two children. She worked as a secretary for the Bangor School Department, first at Mary Snow School and then at Vine Street School, where she retired in 1994. Since her retirement, Joan has worked in the office at the Bangor Auditorium and later in the ticket office at the Cross Insurance Center. Following the death of her husband and father, she moved to Bangor and has lived on Buck St. ever since. Joan had many friends that she enjoyed working, visiting, and going out to eat with. Family was the most important thing to Joan and she never missed the chance to be part of whatever was going on. From dance recitals to sporting events to graduations to weddings, her children and grandchildren always knew that their biggest fan was close by. Christmas Eve was always special to her. She spent countless hours finding the right presents for the whole family (mostly from QVC!) and stuffing stockings that her grandchildren always said were the best ever, but she always made sure everyone knew she had the receipts in case something needed to be returned. The menu changed over the years but her specialty was always there: hot dogs in barbecue sauce. Joan was always up for an adventure, traveling to Disney World many times, taking a cruise around Hawaii with her family, going shopping anytime she was invited (unless of course, she was “all tucked in”), and she even traveled to Branson, MO on one occasion. She was blessed to have a son-in-law and daughter-in-law that she loved dearly and treated like they were her own children. That love extended to the spouses of her grandchildren as they joined her family. In recent years, Joan was thrilled to get to know her four great grandchildren, who brought a smile to her face every time they were around and she brought a smile to their face whenever they were with her. She never minded being the subject of a joke from her family, which was usually met with a scrunched up face and a joking “go to hell!” before she would laugh and give a hug. Joan loved a bowl of fish chowder, a cup of tea, and being VERY early to things. She was a fiercely independent (and stubborn!) lady who lived alone until falling ill in the spring (after all, “what do I need a man for?”). She accomplished everything in life that anyone could ever hope and enjoyed every minute of it. Joan was predeceased by her husband, parents, the aunt and Uncle who raised her “Nanny and Nicky” (Fran and Charles) Burgess, and a dearly loved sister-in-law, Virginia Wilson. She is survived by her daughter Deborah Welch and husband Robert of Bangor; son Dale Duplisea and wife Sandra of Hermon; grandchildren Ryan Welch and wife Leah of Glenburn, Lindsay White and husband Kenny of Hermon, Kaitlyn Joan Cameron and husband John of Bangor, and Adam Duplisea and wife Janie of Hermon; great-grandchildren Adelynn Welch, Grant Cameron, and Jayden and Brentley Duplisea; sister Norma Lee and husband Don of Bangor; brother-in-law Warren Wilson of Palmetto, FL; nephews Michael and Kevin Lee; special cousin Donna Ann and husband Dick St. Louis; many, many friends; and her grand-dogs Moose and Murphy. The family would like to thank the staff at Bangor Nursing for their care of Joan over the past several months. Their patience, kindness, and compassion has been appreciated more than they will ever know. Family and friends may visit from 4-7 pm on Friday, November 20, at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor, where a funeral will be held at 10 am, Saturday, November 21, with Rev. Peter Remick officiating. Burial will follow at Snows Corner Cemetery, Hermon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Activity Department, Bangor Nursing and Rehab, 103 Texas Ave., Bangor. What Can You Say What can you say to someone who has always been one of the most essential parts of your world; Someone who took you by the hand when you were little and helped to show the way. What do you say to someone who stood by to help you grow, providing love, strength, and support so you could become the person you are today? What can you say to let her know that she’s the best there is, and that you hope you’ve inherited some of her wisdom and her strength? What words would you say if you ever got the chance? Maybe you’d just say, We love you Mom and Nana, and hope she understands… ~ Author Unknown ~ Arrangements by Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor.