Obituary of Joan A. Finnegan
Joan Finnegan (3/1/1936 - 3/11/2026)
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Joan A. Finnegan (McHale), who departed this life on March 11, 2026, at the age of 90, with family by her side. Joan was a longtime resident of Westbrook Park, where she raised her family, and had previously resided in Broomall, Pennsylvania. Joan was a lifelong member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Springfield, where she was deeply devoted to her Catholic faith.
In her earlier years, Joan worked for Bell Telephone as a Customer Service Representative and later for Super Fresh as a Bookkeeper/Cashier, where she eventually retired.
In addition to her parents, Albertine and Francis McMullen, Joan was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William J. Finnegan, who passed away in 2013.
Joan is survived by her five children: David (Grace) Finnegan, Michelle Stanton, Joanie (Joe) Desiderio, Judy (Evio) Panichi, and Janet (Michael) Maleski; her step-son, Brian (Sybille) Finnegan, and step-daughter Karen (Daniel) Sullivan; 15 grandchildren: Tammi, Billy, Julie, David, Evio, Joey, Brett, Kelli, Katie, Peyton, Reagan, Natasha, Heather, Daniel, and Paige; six great-grandchildren: Brooklyn, Bo, Avery, Derek, Taylor, and Jayson; and her two brothers, Christopher J. and Francis J. McMullen.
To know Joan was to love her. Family was Joan’s greatest joy, and she took genuine pride in making her children and grandchildren happy—a quality that defined her life. She always showed up and was there whenever you needed her. The world is gentler because she was in it, and her legacy of warmth, generosity, and grace lives on in everyone she touched.
Joan was an avid Villanova Wildcats fan and loved following Villanova basketball. She also enjoyed boating on the Fish n’ Finn, getting her suntan, and visiting the Jersey shore casinos and Harrah’s Philadelphia. She had a passion for theater and movies and was a faithful patron of the Walnut Street Theatre. If you ever needed a coupon, something returned, or an errand run, she was proudly known as the coupon, errand, and return “Queen.”
Her kindness, quick smile, and willingness to help anyone in need will be remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her, as she found her greatest happiness in life’s simple moments—helping others and spending time with the family she loved so dearly.
Her family takes comfort in knowing she is now reunited with her beloved husband, Bill, and resting in God’s eternal peace.
A viewing will be held on Friday, March 20, from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 651 E. Springfield Rd., Springfield, PA, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.
Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Cross Church, 651 E. Springfield Rd., Springfield, PA 19064
