Joan Terry Douchette Thomson

BUFFALO TOWNSHIP  /  PORTAGE --  Joan Terry Douchette Thomson, age 58, of Portage, WI, went to sleep with The Lord on Sunday, December 12, 2010 at University Hospital in Madison.

Joan was born on July 1, 1952 in New London, Connecticut, the daughter of John and Letitia (Maher) Douchette.  She went to school in Groton, CT, and graduated from New London High School.  Joan worked for the State of Connecticut for 13 years at Seaside Regional Center, before being injured at work and then retired.  She married Gordon Thomson in Norwich, CT in 1978.  They lived in Connecticut until 1985, then moved to Wisconsin with their infant daughter, Jessica Ann.  Joan and Gordon farmed for many years in Montello.  She was a member of Moundville United Methodist Church.  Joan loved fishing, hunting and woodworking.  She also owned The Fox River Woodworking Company in Portage.  For many years, Joan helped at the Sunnyside Feed Mill in Portage.  She became known as “The Bird Lady”, as she had a love for the birds and their beauty.  Joan loved gardening, flowers, and animals.  Three very special friends were Foxy, A.B. and Minnie, who went with her everywhere.  She enjoyed traveling and has visited many of our states.  Joan loved her country dearly.  She would often say, “No one is ever promised a tomorrow, and I hope I have left my lot a little better for the next generation.  I have lived a great life and enjoyed life to the fullest, and did it my way.” 

She is survived by her daughter, Jessica (Derrick) Buzzell, Wisconsin Dells, who was the light and love of her life;  a dear friend and companion, Nina R. Sulsdorf, whom Joan loved dearly and lived with for many years, and the three became a family.  She is also survived by a sister, Bonnie (Michael) Kilgus and a nephew, Scott Kilgus, all of Gales Ferry, Ct;  a brother, Jonathan Douchette, Portage;  a nephew, Jessie Lee Douchette, Portage;  a niece, Danielle (Lance) Hernkind, Portage;  her sisters-in-law, Ann Davis, Groton, CT, and Trish Davis, Oakdale, CT;  a dear and trusted friend for many years, Beth (Vincent) Larson, Baltic, CT;  other near relatives and many friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers, David and Patrick Davis.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at Moundville United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Barbara Bolz officiating.  Inurnment will be private.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, and on Thursday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m.

Special thanks to Dr. Brenda Blohm and her assistants, and to the staff at Divine Savior Hospital, Clinic, and Extended Care, for their many years of help and care.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Joan’s name.