Obituary of Joan Daisy Westman

FAIRFIELD: Joan D. (Bredeau) Westman (“Moi”), 76, currently a resident at Glenridge in Augusta, died peacefully on Monday, August 10th after a long struggle with failing health. Her children were at her side. Joan was born on October 28th, 1938 in Bremen, ME, the daughter of the late Joseph and Idella (Kelley) Bredeau. She was one of eight children. Joan attended schools in Waldoboro and then moved with her sister Shirley to work at a bakery in Portland when they were teenagers. She later worked at Sylvania for several years until she became a full-time housewife and mother. Joan enjoyed spending time with family, loved fashion, shopping and visiting the Maine coast. She was a wonderful cook. She was lovingly known as “Moi” by her family and friends. She was predeceased by her former husbands Francis E. Gruhn of Waldoboro and Orick E. Westman of Canaan, a daughter Pamela Gruhn, brothers Joseph Bredeau of Portland, Louis Bredeau of Waldoboro, George Bredeau of Waldoboro, Richard Bredeau of Boothbay Harbor and sisters Mary Bredeau of Waldoboro and Shirley Stone of Chelsea, MA. She leaves behind a son, David Gruhn, of Bristol, CT, daughter Mary Bixby and her husband Joseph of Oakland, son Frank Gruhn of Fairfield, son Robert Westman and daughter-in-law Bobbi-Jo of Oakland, and daughter Patricia Hagerty and son-in-law Patrick of Clinton. She is also survived by her sister Jeanette Wells of Melrose, MA, granddaughter Emily Hagerty of Clinton with whom she shared a very special relationship, grandson Christopher Gruhn of Waterville, step-grandsons Dorian and Zachary French of Fairfield, step-granddaughter Ashley Trembly of Old Hickory, TN, step-granddaughter Danielle Bixby of Smithfield, and step-great granddaughter Claire Bell of Smithfield along with many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at Glenridge and the staff of Beacon Hospice who took the extra time to make our Mom’s last days more comfortable. There will be a celebration of life to honor Joan at the VFW on 246 Main Street, Fairfield on Saturday, August 22nd at 1:00 PM.