Joan DeRosa

Joan Ruth DeRosa passed peacefully away on February 14, 2026, at the Ted & Diane Brandley House Hospice in Summerfield, FL, also known as Hospice of Marion County.

Born November 5,1939 to her loving parents Joseph and Ruth Gaudet of New Jersey, she was the eldest of six children that included Frances, Linda, Marie, Joseph and Michael Gaudet.

Joan was happily married to Gabriel DeRosa for 67 years, and they resided in The Villages for the past 24 years. Prior to that, she was a long-time resident of Greenwich, CT where she worked and raised a family. In addition to her husband, Gabriel, Joan is also survived by her two sons and their spouses, Andrew DeRosa (Karen) of Stamford, CT, and Jeffrey DeRosa (Jeanne) of Norwalk, CT.

Joan was predeceased by her much loved daughter, Lisa Ann DeRosa in 2012.

She is also survived by four grandchildren, Kaitlin Leigh Santos (Alex), Kevin Joseph DeRosa, Jeffrey John DeRosa and Jacqueline Valerie DeRosa, all of whom she loved and adored and who were the center of her life. She is also survived by her many nieces and nephews.

Before retirement, Joan worked for Philips Medical Devices, Stamford, CT, and at the Hyatt Regency Hotel as an Executive Assistant to the General Manager in Greenwich, CT.

She moved with her husband to the Greenbriar Villas in The Villages where she enjoyed playing golf and socializing. She especially enjoyed their membership at the Italian American Club and participated in many social activities including cruises to destinations all over the world, her favorite being Italy. Joan was also a big baseball fan and an unapologetic Yankee fan. She attended Spring Training games in Tampa, scouting the lineup with her family and friends. She proudly wore her #99 pinstripe jersey (her favorite player), to all games. In her later years, she enjoyed walking in the neighborhood daily and looked forward to saying hello to all the regular walkers and their pets in the neighborhood.

A Mass will be held at St. Theresa Catholic Church, located at 11528 US-301, Belleview, FL 34420, on Feb 25th at 12 PM Noon. A burial will be held in private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Hospice of Marion County.