Joan Annette Kirby

RANDOLPH – Joan Annette Kirby, passed away on March 18, 2025.

She was born in Brownville Junction on April 2, 1938 to William and Helen Kirby. Upon graduating, she began working at the Air Force Base in Caribou. Three years later, she moved to Tampa, Fla. where she continued her federal employment with the Social Security Administration (SSA): married Paul DePlanche, and eventually transferred to SSA in Augusta to be closer to her family. Her career involved a lot of travel to SSA District Offices and out of state for training and teaching administrative changes. She retired after 35 years with SSA.

She was a Literacy Volunteer in Augusta and a volunteer with Day Star in Florida where she spent seven winters after retirement.

Joan was an artist and a poet. Her friends and family were recipients of her artworks and often, the subjects of her poems. She had a wonderful sense of humor.

She grieved the loss of her parents; and siblings Claire, Doris, Audrey, Helen, Carmen, Maurice, Patrick and Theresa and cherished the reunions with their families.

She felt that God blessed her big time by giving her a daughter, Denise Bechtel (Kurt) and son, Daniel DePlanche (Gina); grandchildren, Marc, Elise, Jennifer, Monique; great-grandchildren, Annabelle, Jack and Penelope. She had many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

The family will have a private service graveside in Brownville Junction in the fall. Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family by visiting the Staples Funeral Home website http://www.StaplesFuneralHome.com

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the

Chrysalis Place Food Bank

or the

Gardiner Public Library.