WESTFIELD – JoAnne E. (Quesnel) Duga, 81, (1941-2023) peacefully passed into eternal life surrounded by her loving family on June 3rd, 2023 at St. Francis Hospital. She was born on September 8th, 1941 in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada to the late Joseph and Mary (McLinden) Quesnel. JoAnne and her parents came to the United States in October 1947 moving to Westfield, MA in August 1953. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1959 and soon after met Donald Duga in a chance encounter on Court Street in Westfield, who would ultimately become her beloved husband of 61 years.
JoAnne worked in healthcare for many years, enjoying roles in social services, mental health, and ultimately as an X-Ray technician. Later, she gave up her career to become a full-time mom, cub scout leader, and helper to anyone who needed support, friendship, or guidance. Joanne was a brilliant conversationalist with a passion for instilling bits of knowledge and wisdom to anyone she met. She loved reading, being outdoors, camping, and the beaches of Wells Maine. She shared her love of the ocean with her family for decades, where each year she would take them all on an oceanfront vacation on the sands of Moody Beach and dine in fine establishments like Jakes and the Wells Lobster Pound. Above all, Joanne loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with a passion. She was lovingly called “Nana” and her mantra, which was repeated over and over to each child who professed their love to her, was “Love You More.”
JoAnne leaves behind and is survived by her loving husband Donald Duga, to whom she shared 61 years of marriage. She also leaves behind her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and is survived by her son Steven Duga, along with his wife Michelle, with grandsons Joshua Duga, and Benjamin Duga, and his wife Kayla, and a great-grandson Oliver, her daughter Diane (Duga) Humphrey, with grandchildren Conor Humphrey, Erin Humphrey with great-granddaughter Harper, and her beloved first born grandson Tyler Humphrey, and his wife Emily, with great-grandchildren Reese, Grayson, and Mila. She is also survived by her sisters Kathryn (Quesnel) LaPlante and husband Ron, with nephew Joel Stebbins and niece Rachel LaPlante, and Maureen (Quesnel) Kaminski and husband Jim, with nephews Jake Brady and Daniel Kaminski.
She is predeceased by her parents Joseph and Mary, and her four brothers Teddy, Gary, Tommy and Joey.
Services for JoAnne will preside at Firtion-Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad St., Westfield, MA, with calling hours on Friday, June 9th, 2023 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m., and a celebration of life and religious service the following morning on Saturday, June 10th, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. www.firtionadams.com
