Joan Prince Dobens

Joan Prince Dobens, 97, of Nashua, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully after a brief illness at the Merrimack Hospice House on Oct. 27, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on March 1, 1925, in Manchester, New Hampshire, daughter of the late Albert and Delima (Bernaquez) Prince. She was one of 14 children.

Joan was the loving wife of William L. Dobens, who passed away on June 23, 2015, and now joins him in eternal peace.

Joan graduated from Nashua High School, class of 1944. During her high school years, she worked the evening shift in the Nashua Mills to help support their large family. Upon graduation, she went on to the former Nashua Business School and Rivier College. For more than 30 years, Joan worked at the former Indian Head National Bank as a head teller.

In 1946, Joan married her high school sweetheart and shared more than 70 wonderful years of marriage. Together they tackled life’s challenges. Some adjectives that described Joan were strong, loving, generous, feisty and independent. Her faith in God guided her through life. Joan would say, “The inn is always open,” and “Enjoy life and do not worry about me.”

She was an avid New England sports fan, especially enjoying the Patriots and Red Sox. Her grandchildren’s sports teams always found her cheering on the sidelines or in the bleachers. Her biggest thrill was playing shuffleboard in Florida and receiving many trophies for her play.

Joan also was a member of the Nashua Senior Activity Center and participated in their yearly shows as a tap dancer. In her spare time, she enjoyed knitting, embroidery, reading, puzzles, exercising and cooking.

Upon retirement, she enjoyed her winter home in Florida and her summer home at Hampton Beach. Joan and Bill enjoyed traveling, and were fortunate enough to have visited many countries. Her favorite was Germany, the birthplace of her ancestors.

Joan is survived by her sons, James Dobens and his wife, Marie, William Dobens Jr. and his wife, Christine; daughters, Deborah Howard and Kathleen Dobens; grandchildren, Dr. Sheri Eng and her husband, Nathan, Brett Dobens and his wife, Laura, Jamie “Janice” Vogel and her husband, Calvin, Elizabeth Bentley and her husband, Brian, Sarah Wax and her husband, James, Steven Grenier, Christine Daisy and Garrett Howard; great-grandchildren, Cody, Riley, Lilly, Henry, Mark, Justin, Charlotte, Fletcher, Marguerite, Isabella, Cameron, Allen, Summer and Theodore; sisters, Pauline Lamothe of Springfield, Massachusetts, Jackie Faucher and her husband, Louis, of Londonderry, New Hampshire, and Sis (Cecile) Lane of Nashua; brothers, George, Paul and his wife, Helen, Maurice and his wife, Patsy, and Peter and his wife, Carol; along with many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters, Gabrielle Kinney and Carmelle Christie and brothers, Louis, Marcel, Albert and Robert.

“Goodbye everyone and see you all in Heaven.”

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, at St. Aloysius of Gonzaga Parish located at 48 W. Hollis St., Nashua, with burial to immediately follow at St. Louis Cemetery located at 752 W. Hollis St., Nashua.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joan Dobens name to the Community Hospice House, 210 Naticook Road Merrimack N.H. 03054.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ZisSweeneyFuneralHome.com.