Joan E. (Raynes) Gilligan, 89, died Sunday evening, October 10, 2021 following a brief illness. She was the beloved wife of Charles W. Gilligan.

Born in Salem on August 27, 1932, she was the daughter of Henry R. Raynes, Sr. and Susan G. (George) Raynes. She was a longtime resident of Salem before moving to Beverly in 1965. Joan was a graduate of Salem High School class of 1950 and sought out scholarships to attend Salem Hospital School of Nursing, where she was president of the graduating class of 1953.

Joan was a registered nurse in the maternity wards at both Salem Hospital and Beverly Hospital for many years before retiring in 1990. She also taught prenatal classes and would often stay after her shift had ended with her patient until the baby was born. She was a member of the Salem Hospital Alumni Association and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church of Beverly. She loved all types of music and was also a former member of the Manchester Women’s Chorus. Joan had a voice of an angel.

Affectionately known as “Minnie”, her greatest pleasure was spending time with her five beautiful grandchildren especially on “pie day” to kick off the holiday season. She would be often seen with the love of her life walking down the street holding hands and sitting on park benches. Joan was an avid knitter and enjoyed running in the Bonnie Bell 10K in Boston and the Beverly and Salem 5K Homecoming races. She loved her family and friends and was generous with time and treasure.

In addition to her loving husband of 66 years, she is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia A. and Kevin Grondin and Laurie J. and Andrew Mott all of Beverly; her son, Charles W. Gilligan and his companion, Sabrina Cassagnol of Washington, DC; five grandchildren, Kevin P. and Katherine A. Grondin, Eric and Ivan Mott and Ryan Gilligan Keefe and many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her daughter-in-law, Marilyn Keefe, three sisters, Carol Marler, Mary Stenberg and Sally Dzikiewicz and three brothers, Robert Raynes, Henry “Dick” Raynes and William “George” Raynes.

Her funeral services will be held on Friday in St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 4 Ocean St., Beverly at 11 A.M. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday in the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody from 4 – 7 P.M. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment will be held in Central Cemetery, Beverly. Expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to Beverly Bootstraps, 198 Rantoul St., Beverly, MA 01915.