Obituary for Joan Baisley (Gadski)
Joan (Gadski) Baisley of Enfield, Connecticut, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, March 27, 2021. She was born in the Bronx, NY on June 23, 1945 and despite living in Connecticut for 50 years, Joan was a lifelong New Yorker. The daughter of the late Arthur Gadski and Roberta (Fox) Gadski, she grew up in The Bronx and later moved to Hartford and Enfield in order to raise a family. Throughout her life, Joan worked as an executive assistant among other things for many years. She worked for Aon Risk Management in Glastonbury for over 6 years, and later for the Wireless Zone for an additional 12 years.
Joan was a political activist especially in her later years, volunteering her time generously and was particularly passionate about women’s rights. Her love of New York City was second only to her love of laughter, irreverance and dancing. Particularly proud of her Irish heritage, she was also a lover of all types of music. As a lifelong Beatlemaniac, she also appreciated all genres of music, from Barry Manilow, the Beach Boys and Neil Diamond to U2, the Stone Temple Pilots and Guns N Roses. Joan gave freely of her time to help others, and was known as “everyone’s mom.” She was involved in volunteering and fundraising activities at Mary’s Place in Windsor. Most especially she cherished the time spent with her grandchildren.
Joan is survived by her children, Timothy Baisley and his wife Erin of Enfield, Elizabeth Baisley and her husband Christian Mezzina of NY City and Michael Baisley and his wife Amy of Fairfield; and her dear grandchildren, Abigail, Noonie, Katherine, Lily, Kaitlin, Nora and Baby-to-be Mezzina and two beloved grand-dogs Digby and Matilda. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Richard Gadski and her sister, Roberta Anderson.
Joan’s family will receive relatives and friends from 10 to 12 pm on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Rd, Enfield. Services will be held at a later date. Donations in her memory may be made to Mary’s Place, 6 Poquonock Ave, Windsor CT 06095. For online condolences, please visit www.leetestevens.com.
Joan was a political activist especially in her later years, volunteering her time generously and was particularly passionate about women’s rights. Her love of New York City was second only to her love of laughter, irreverance and dancing. Particularly proud of her Irish heritage, she was also a lover of all types of music. As a lifelong Beatlemaniac, she also appreciated all genres of music, from Barry Manilow, the Beach Boys and Neil Diamond to U2, the Stone Temple Pilots and Guns N Roses. Joan gave freely of her time to help others, and was known as “everyone’s mom.” She was involved in volunteering and fundraising activities at Mary’s Place in Windsor. Most especially she cherished the time spent with her grandchildren.
Joan is survived by her children, Timothy Baisley and his wife Erin of Enfield, Elizabeth Baisley and her husband Christian Mezzina of NY City and Michael Baisley and his wife Amy of Fairfield; and her dear grandchildren, Abigail, Noonie, Katherine, Lily, Kaitlin, Nora and Baby-to-be Mezzina and two beloved grand-dogs Digby and Matilda. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Richard Gadski and her sister, Roberta Anderson.
Joan’s family will receive relatives and friends from 10 to 12 pm on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Rd, Enfield. Services will be held at a later date. Donations in her memory may be made to Mary’s Place, 6 Poquonock Ave, Windsor CT 06095. For online condolences, please visit www.leetestevens.com.