Sister Joanne Mehegan (Cecilia Mary) of the Sisters of Mercy died peacefully after a lingering illness on December 27, at St. Mary Home in West Hartford. Sister Joanne was born and raised in Hartford, the daughter of the late Nicholas and Cecilia (McGurkin) Mehegan. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in June of 1945 after high school graduation and professed religious vows in 1948. She recently and proudly celebrated her 73rd anniversary as a Sister of Mercy. Sister Joanne was a very dedicated primary and elementary school teacher in multiple parishes throughout Connecticut dioceses for forty years, instructing and influencing her students for good, through the shy, unassuming, mild and gentle demeanor that defined her person. In 1984 she accepted a new role as Admissions Director at St. Mary Home, a position she held for 14 years until her retirement. She continued to generously volunteer her service to others as a resident living among those she cared about at St. Mary Home. She was a soft spoken, deeply prayerful woman of Mercy. Joanne is survived by her siblings Denise and (deceased husband) Donald Fleming of East Hartford, Alice and husband Joseph Visgilio of Westerly, RI, several nieces, nephews, many grandnieces and grandnephews and her grateful sisters in the community of Mercy, especially her dearest friend, Sister Mary Clarice Cunningham. A Mass commemorating Joanne’s life will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 2 at 6:00 p.m. 2021 Albany Ave, West Hartford, preceded by calling hours from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Burial will take place on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. in St. Mary Cemetery. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Sister’s name are asked to consider Sisters of Mercy, 25 Prospect St, West Hartford, CT 06110. Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home of West Hartford has care of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com