Joan C Riel

Monson—Joan C. (Jolly) Riel, 89, formerly of Monson, passed away Dec. 21, 2025 at Wing Memorial Hospital in Palmer after a prolonged illness. She was born in Worcester, daughter of Leo P. and Nora (Lescault) Jolly. She lived and raised her family in Monson 1959-2025 before recently moving to Cedarbrook Village in Ware.

She leaves her devoted husband of 69 years, Alfred J. Riel of Ware; her daughter Cynthia Cates and husband Nady of Wilbraham; her son Steven Riel and husband Neil Glickman of Leeds; her granddaughter Jennifer Ehle and husband Josh of Springfield; her grandson Andrew Guidara and wife Gisell of East Longmeadow; cherished great-grandchildren Geneva and Chester Ehle, Abigail and Claudia Guidara, and Gianna Albano; her sister Rita (Jolly) Granquist and husband Ronald of Shrewsbury; sisters-in-law Rita (Baril) Jolly of Mystic, CT, Angelina (Maio) Jolly of Milton, GA, and Ann (Simarano) Riel of Northbridge; and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son David Riel and by her brothers Leo P. Jolly, Jr., and Robert Jolly.

Mrs. Riel graduated from St. Peter's High School in Worcester, where she was classmates with her husband-to-be. After attending Salter's Secretarial School, she employed her skills in a variety of positions. She was secretary to the superintendent of the Hampden-Wilbraham School District for many years before her retirement. A woman of deep and abiding faith, Mrs. Riel was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church in Monson. She competed as a teenager in pairs dancing at the national roller-skating championship. She was an avid tennis player at the Wilbraham and Ludlow tennis clubs.

Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Monday, December 29th 2025 at Lombard Funeral Home, 3 Bridge St., Monson from 9:30-10:30am. The Funeral Mass will follow at 11am at St. Patrick's Church, 22 Green St., Monson with burial at Bethany Cemetery, Monson. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Patrick's Church Restoration Fund, PO Box 473 Monson, MA 01057.