Van Buren--- Joan P. Cormier, a sixty-nine-year resident of Van Buren, ME, died of natural causes on June 29, 2024, at the Maine Veterans' Home in Caribou, ME.

Joan was daughter of Ludger Picard and Aurore St. Jean Picard, and sister of Jacqueline Picard Corbin, George Emile Ouellette, and Noella Picard. She was also the half-sister of siblings Maxine Picard Duplessis, Gladys Picard Lausier (Norman), Leo James Picard, Paulette Picard Heck (Danny), Michael Picard, Patsy Picard Madore, Charlene Picard (Otis), Timothy Picard (Debbie), and Edward Picard (Jackie).

Joan was predeceased by her husband of twenty-nine years, James C. Cormier, in November 1981 and is survived by her children:  Anne M. Cormier (Kim Ford Coffman) of Purcellville, VA; Brian Cormier and Ron Cormier of South Portland, ME; grandchildren Thaddeus Coffman (Sarah) of Leesburg, VA; Nathaniel Coffman (Katie) of Fort Collins, CO; and Matthew Cormier of Buxton, ME, and his siblings (honorary grandchildren) Meghan and Noah, and their mother, Sandy Cormier of Limington, ME.  Joan's great-grandchildren include Phillip and Callie Coffman of Leesburg, VA, and Eloise (Ella), Autumn, and Clara Coffman of Fort Collins, CO.

Joan lost her mother at age two and was cared for by her paternal grandparents, Emile Picard and Alice Lacombe Picard, until she joined the household of her father, Ludger, and his second wife, Patricia Cyr Picard, a stepmother whom she loved and with whom she shared many wonderful times.

Joan was a meticulous seamstress and tailor, through the years tackling assorted projects, both for herself and her children. She also hand knit and crocheted a variety of items, most of which she gave away as gifts.

After having operated a day care home while her younger children were pre-schoolers, Joan went on to be employed by several area businesses, including SAD#24 (at VBDHS), Rexall Drug Store; Raymond's Clothing Store, Northern National Bank, and the optometry practice of Dr. Charles Plourde.  She also spent two decades singing in the choir of St. Bruno's Parish, an avocation that was close to her heart. She proudly attended her Cursillo in 1990 and now entering her Fifth Day.

Joan was a voracious reader and lifelong learner, completing high school courses and earning the diploma ultimately awarded to her by Governor Ken Curtis in June of 1970.

While our mother's death is a great loss to family and friends, we are comforted by the knowledge that she will be reunited with loved ones who've gone before, in particular the six children lost to her through miscarriage, all of them very much loved and, for decades, quietly mourned.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at St. Bruno-St. Remi Church, Van Buren. Relatives and friends may greet the family Friday evening 6 – 8:00 PM at Lajoie Funeral Home, 118 High St., Van Buren. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Joan, her family suggests making donations in her name to: Maine Veterans' Home, 163 Van Buren Road, Suite 2, Caribou, ME 04736.