81, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on April 23rd. She was the loving wife of Herbert R. Costa for 61 years. Born in Cumberland, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Rosella (Costigan) Heffernan.

Joan was a lifelong resident of Cumberland. She worked many years at Uncle Ronnie's Flower Shop and as a teacher's aide at Ashton School.

Besides her husband she is survived by her daughters, Susan Laflamme and her husband Paul, Karen Mitchell and her husband Glen, Lauren McCarthy and her husband Kirk; two grandchildren, Dr. Collette Laflamme and her husband Thomas Muscolo, Cote Laflamme; a great grandson, Bennett Muscolo; sister, Lynn Coffey; brother, Conrad Heffernan and his wife JoAnn. She was predeceased by her brother, Ronnie Heffernan.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, April 30th at 10am in the Historic St. Joseph Church, 1303 Mendon Rd., Cumberland. Burial will be private. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Ronald McDonald House, 45 Gay St. Providence, RI 02905.