Joan Raphael Katz

Joan Raphael Katz, 88, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2025 surrounded by her family in Boston. Joan was a resident of Newton since 1968 and was a trailblazer in clinical social work in Massachusetts. She worked in the criminal justice system for decades, advocating for her clients on the witness stand, in prisons and to attorneys and public defenders in the state. Joan was an avid reader, with a passion for mysteries and loved attending the August annual mystery writer’s conference in England. She had an insatiable thirst for travel, art, culture and the diversity of the world. She was passionate for women’s rights, civil rights and the protection of animals. She was fiercely loyal to her family and friends. She raised two sons, with her husband Sanford Noah Katz, who preceded her in death in February of 2024. She was incredibly proud of her family, son Daniel Katz of New York and his wife Meg Parsont and son Andy Katz of Newport, RI, and his wife Denise Padilla. Joan always loved to discuss her beloved and devoted grandchildren, Lucia and Salvador Katz. A service celebrating Joan Katz’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 18, 2025 at Temple Shalom, 175 Temple St., Newton, MA. Burial service to follow.