Joan C. (Lavina) Veiga passed away at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, on August 19th, she was 62. Joan was born in Chelsea, raised in Melrose and graduated from Melrose High School. Joan was a devoted mother & grandmother, a homemaker and also worked at Headstart in Malden, during the early stages of development. She was a lifelong resident of Melrose and enjoyed traveling. Joan was the loving mother of Wally Clark of Melrose, Michael Clark of E. Sandwich, Kelly Hersey of NH, Elizabeth Clark of Saugus, Heather Evans of Melrose and Rachael Clark of NH. Beloved daughter of Joanne (Labate) Lavina of Melrose. Sister of Richard Lavina of Puerto Rico and the late John Lavina III. Also survived by 12 grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Wed. Aug. 24th at 8AM. Funeral Mass in St. Marys Church, Herbert St. Melrose, at 9AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours Tues. 4-8PM. Burial in Wyoming Cemetery Melrose. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis TN 38105.