Joanne "Jodi" Tong
- abbeycremation
- Oct 18, 2023
- 2 min read
Joanne (Jodi) Coulombe Tong, of Waterford, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at Lawerence and Memorial Hospital from complications of a prior illness.
Jodi was born April 25, 1950, in Hartford, CT, the daughter of Lawrence and Jean Coulombe.
She grew up in Niantic and graduated from New London High School in 1968. She went on to be a computer programmer and worked for Travelers Insurance for many years.
Jodi had lived the last 25 years in Waterford, CT where she moved to be closer to family after the death of her husband William Tong, of Manchester, CT.
Jodi was predeceased by her parents and her brother Richard Coulombe. She is survived by her loving sisters Virginia (Donald) Dishaw and Trisha Whelan as well as her brother Edward Coulombe.
She is also survived by 10 nieces and nephews (Kristine, Michael, Marc, Holly, Shawn, Nicole, Eddie, Seth, Brie and Jon) 16 great-nieces and nephews, her cousin Martha Pollak, and dear friends Janice, Bernice and Christina.
Jodi was very creative. She was a talented seamstress who would make clothing for herself and others. She also enjoyed creating personal greeting cards for family and friends. Jodi loved spending time with her family and could always make everyone laugh at family gatherings. She had a love for all animals but kept a special place in her heart for her own dogs and all the family dogs throughout her life.
Jodi was involved in Sound Community Services and participated in the OASIS program. She enjoyed attending activities and functions with her friends. Employees at the OASIS program said she was a “crowd favorite” and always a pleasure to work with.
Thank you to the staff at New London Rehabilitation in Waterford for their support and care of Joanne.
She will be missed dearly by family and friends. A Memorial Service will be held at 1p.m. on November 4, 2023, at Flanders Baptist Church, 162 Boston Post Road, East Lyme.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jodi’s memory to Sound Community Services, PO Box 390, New London, 06320 or to Care and Share at 12 Roxbury Road Niantic, 06357
Dear Ginny, Patty and Eddie-- it's been such a long time--and I do so wish I knew how closeby-you all have been....I have such fun memories of our neighborhood playtimes --- all of us dressing up and strolling up + down the street-with our own fashion parades-- making our own "Barbie" houses and using the fabric to make clothes and decorate those houses with 'curtains'...I remember Jodi being 'crafty-talented' even then...Jodi had the sweetest, kindest personality.....and always softened the herts of those around her...she is beyond blessed now.
Jeannette (Rodriguez) Woodworth
Joanne and I were friends for over 60 years, having met in 5th grade at Flanders School. No matter where our paths took us, we always stayed in touch, saw each other whenever possible, and regularly talked on the phone. We had grown up having sleepovers, knowing each other's families, going through high school together, and sharing our thoughts and secrets. What a wonderful gift to have been friends for most of our lives. I'll miss her so much and she'll be in my heart forever. I'll still want to call her one last time, but I know she's now dancing with the angels. I love you, my dear friend.
Janice Daniels Anglin
Jodi was my dear little sister. She was born kind and loving with a huge heart to match her smile. As already noted she was an amazing seamstress. She not only made many of “our” clothes from scratch.. a pattern, but she altered more outfits than you can imagine. She transformed many a skirt into a miniskirt… pun intended. Jodi spent a few weeks with my husband and I in the Netherlands. We traveled to several other countries while she was there and had a ball together. She took time to teach two young “ kindred“ neighbors some gymnastics moves. They thought she was amazing, and she was. I asked Jodi to be the Godmother of my first born Holl…