Joann Eleanor (Vincent) Whatmough

Joann Whatmough, 82, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family on December 24, 2025, in the early morning hours.

Born Joann Vincent in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, she was the beloved first-born daughter of Eleanor (Atkins) and Joseph Vincent, and the older sister to Michael Vincent, Patrick Vincent, Kathy Veader, Jackie Stewart, Denise Donovan and Beverly Vincent, from whom only Michael and Beverly Vincent are surviving.

Joann’s life was shaped soon after entering adulthood at the age of nineteen. Following the  death of her mother, Joanne accepted and embraced a role that her youth hadn't prepared her for, in order for her siblings to remain together as a family. It was through this period, Joanne found within herself resilience and a steadfast spirit and took upon herself the responsibility to keep the family intact and raise her siblings with a steady, nurturing presence.

 Her strength and devotion along with her tenacity held the family together, and she developed a strong love that wouldn't quit, and this trait helped define how she approached the rest of her life.

  After the youngest sibling had grown, Joann met and after several years together, she married the love of her life, the late Charles A. Whatmough. Their marriage of over 40 years was filled with love and caring which bonded the Vincent Family and the Whatmough family together, forever.

This new and enlarged Family remained the center of Joann's life, for the remainder of her life.

She was a proud and loving wife and attentive stepmother to the late Barbara and David Whatmough, as well as her youngest James Whatmough. She was a devoted grandmother to Jessica and Julie, who brought her endless joy. She was also a loving aunt, who always offered to babysit and help care for the many nephews and nieces, each of whom felt her unwavering support.

 Joann spent many years working in retail, but her heart wasn't about achieving and advancing at work, as she wanted to be with family. So, after retiring, she dedicated her time to her husband, and to babysitting her grandchildren and her many great-nieces and great-nephews,

...roles she embraced wholeheartedly.

She found joy in life’s simple pleasures: Sunday turkey dinners, playing cards, Irish music playing in the background, and any moment spent with

her family. Joann’s quiet strength and boundless love will be remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

In a small attempt to encapsulate who Joann was, it could be said that she was a woman who loved with a relentless love throughout her life.  She lived her life the way she wanted to.  She knew what she wanted and would not settle for anything less.  She was protective to a fault.

She was the matriarch of our large family...

She will be missed.

A visitation to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend will be held on Saturday January 24th from 9:00-10:30am in the Charles Coelho Funeral Home 151 Cross St Central Falls, RI.  A funeral service for Joann will be celebrated at 10:30am in the funeral home.

May she rest in peace, reunited with the loved ones who went before her,

...and forever held in the hearts of those who remain.

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