Joan M. Sacco

Joan Mary (Berg) Sacco, 91, of Hudson, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 8, 2024, after a period of declining health.

Joan was born in Lynn, Mass., on June 4, 1933, the only daughter of the late Emil Nikolaus and Beatrice (Lannan) Berg and sister to the late John Berg, William Berg, Russell Berg, Raymond Berg, and Paul Berg. Along with her five brothers, Joan was raised in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood and graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School. She married Robert “Bob” Sacco of Dorchester, Boston, on January 16, 1954, at St. Patrick’s in Watertown, and shortly after they settled in Hudson where they raised their six children. They were married 67 years until Bob’s death in 2021.

Joan was a longtime, active member of Saint Michael Parish and the former Christ the King Church, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister. Living her faith, she fostered children when first married, volunteered in Birthright, a pro-life pregnancy support center, graciously agreed to coach girls basketball at Hudson Catholic High School at one point, and was ever generous to her neighbors, friends, and those in need. Once her children were grown, she began her career as a customer service representative and administrative assistant. Joan was a voracious reader, dabbled in writing, and enjoyed movies, musicals, opera, and theater; she was a talented painter, seamstress, and quilter; she knitted, crocheted, and tried her hand at anything—latch hooking and braided rugs, soap making, embroidery; and she was a wonderful baker of breads and desserts. At the age of 72, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Framingham State College. Above all, Joan was a devoted wife, loving mother, and caring friend.

Joan is survived by five children, Heather Barbara Sacco of Manchester, England; Bob Sacco Jr. and his wife Patricia of Franklin, Mass.; Joanne Sacco and her husband Michael Ganger of Erie, Penn.; Stephen Sacco and his wife Sarah of Hudson, Mass.; and Robin Sacco Houtman and her husband Bart of Delft, Netherlands; a sister-in-law Charlotte Cardullo and her husband William of Richmond, Virginia; ten grandchildren, Caitlin Sacco, Elizabeth Joan Sacco, Allison Joan Ganger, Lauren Ganger, Nathan “Nick” Ganger, Shawn Ganger, Benjamin Johan Houtman, Emma Houtman, Luke Sacco, and Jack Sacco, and many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her daughter Paula Ann Sacco and her son-in-law Jeffrey Johnston of Manchester, England.

A period of calling hours will be held 4:00–7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at Tighe Hamilton Regional Funeral Home, 50 Central St., Hudson, Mass. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at Saint Michael Parish, 21 Manning St., Hudson, Mass., followed by Committal Services at Saint Michael Cemetery in Hudson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Paula Sacco Scholarship Fund. Please send contributions to Patricia Bertram, President, Catholic Community Fund, 66 Brooks Drive, Braintree, MA 02184.