Joan A. Dreger

Joan A. Dreger, 86, entered peacefully into eternal life on September 8, 2025. She was born in Detroit, Michigan to Edward and Clara (Kotz) Kowalczyk. It was in Detroit where she met and married the love of her life, John R. Dreger, Sr. Being a devoted Coast Guard wife, her husband and she moved the family many times from coast to coast in the United States, as well as three years in the Philippines, during John's 33 years in the United States Coast Guard.

Throughout her life, Joan worked for many different companies as a bookkeeper and office manager. Her last two jobs were for St. Paul Catholic Church and for a local real estate attorney.

She was extremely active at her Catholic parish having served on many councils, events, fund raisers, and ministries, such as singing in the choir, which brought her much joy.

Anyone who knew Joan knew her to be a great woman of prayer. In the last years of her life, she would spend 4 to 5 hours a day in prayer. She had an extremely strong faith in God and often would say how she is offering her pain for the conversion of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. We trust she will continue to pray for each of her family members, as she was truly the matriarch of the family.

One of Joan's greatest joys was to be surrounded by her family. When there was an event, you would often find her in the kitchen, smiling, as she just watched everyone laughing and enjoying each other's company. She always said that family was her greatest gift and accomplishment.

One of Joan's greatest qualities was her generosity. She gave freely of her time, talents, and treasures to those whom she loved. She was always ready to give a gift, to help someone in need, or provide for her extended family. The gift of her generous heart was experienced by many.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Elaine Denek. Joan is survived by her six children, John R. Dreger Jr. and Ann (Gwudz) of Brooklyn; Laura (Dreger) Grose and Greg of Carolina Shores, NC; Christy (Dreger) Brown and Dennis of Fort Mill, SC; Steven Dreger and Karen (Tomanio) of Sandy Hook, CT; Michael Dreger and Holly (Dygert) of Gulfport, MS; and Sister Paul Mary Dreger, FSE of Burlington, VT. She was an awesome Grandma/Amma to 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by a brother, Frank Kowalczyk of Sterling Heights, MI, many cousins, as well as a loving aunt "AJ" to many nieces and nephews.

Everyone who ever had the privilege to know Joan was better for it. Her legacy will live on in her family that she poured so much of herself into sacrificially. Her strong presence will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Calling hours will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. Monday, September 15, at Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 16 at St. Paul Church, 170 Rope Ferry Road, Waterford. Her burial will follow at noon at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Middletown.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, 405 Allen Avenue, Meriden, CT 06451

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