Joan Bixby

OXFORD - Joan A. (Birtz) Bixby, 74, of Mount Pleasant St., died in her home on Friday, September 21, 2012, surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by three children, Richard G. Bixby Jr. and his wife Debra of Oxford, Karyn A. Longo and her husband David of Oxford, and Robert M. Bixby of Ludlow; her sister-in-law, Anita Birtz of Worcester; and seven grandchildren, Michael Bixby, Matthew Bixby, Aaron Longo, Connor Longo, Tanner Longo, Kaila Bixby, and Cameron Bixby. She was predeceased by a brother, Robert Birtz; and her sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Gerald Rondeau. She was born in Worcester, the daughter of the late Alexander and Irene (Bachand) Birtz, and lived in Worcester before moving to Oxford in 1972. She graduated from St. Stephen's High School in Worcester. Mrs. Bixby was a hairdresser at Val's Beauty Salon in Worcester for over 20 years, retiring many years ago. She worked at the Life Care Center of Auburn for the last 19 years. She was a member of St. Roch's Church in Oxford, and she enjoyed playing cards on Wednesday nights with close friends and taking the occasional trip to the casino. A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 27, 2012, at St. Roch's Church, 332 Main St., Oxford. Please meet directly at the church. Burial will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute / The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline, MA 02445.