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Joan Kratzert

Joan Bennett Kratzert of Essex, 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and love at Gladeview Healthcare Center after a brief illness. Joan was born June 12, 1930, in Providence, Rhode Island, to the late W. Leonard and Ruth Briggs Bennett.

After choosing her career path as a music teacher (by age 12!), she graduated from high school in Wakefield, Massachusetts, earned her B.A. from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, and M.S. in elementary education from Southern Connecticut State University. After the family moved to Old Lyme in 1963, she was the music teacher at Lyme Consolidated School, conducting many school concerts and eighth-grade graduations, and was a music substitute in the Lyme-Old Lyme schools. She found her next school family at the Goodwin School in Old Saybrook, where she taught for 22 years, retiring in 1992.

Joan was an amazing and special person who was loved by her family and grandchildren. Joan was active in her faith as a longtime member and former choir director at First Congregational Church of Old Lyme and was a founding supporter of the Shoreline Food Pantry. She served as member and chair of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut UCC. After her retirement, she volunteered at Branford Hospice and was a certified “55 Alive” instructor. She loved playing bridge with her many dear “bridge buddies” and enjoyed her time traveling to some amazing places. Joan was an incredibly talented teacher who loved to play the piano, was an avid reader, and a loyal UConn women’s basketball and all-things-soccer fan. She loved sitting in her chair by the fire with Abraham on her lap. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by daughters, Anne Beaubelle of Norco, California, and Elizabeth Nocera of Essex; her grandchildren: Bennett Nocera, Aline Nocera, Sean Kratzert, and Alex Kratzert; a nephew and niece; and many, many former students. She is predeceased by her husband, Alfred Kratzert Jr.; son, Thomas Kratzert; sons-in-law, David Beaubelle and Mike Long; and sister, Judith Wade, in addition to her parents.

Burial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund FCCOL or Essex Library Association. A Celebration of Joan’s Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, 2 Ferry Road, Old Lyme. To sign the online guest book, visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com.