Condolence: It was my pleasure to know JoAnn as a colleague, but I knew her also as the parent of two students who say she was simply the most memorable teacher ever,so I can speak about what a wonderful teacher she was. She made the 5th graders memorize lists of prepositions; songs about the 50 states; create yearbooks, and laugh. All useful skills. She continued to share the laughter after retirement. She'll be missed.

Condolence: If there was a need, JoAnn found a way to fill it. She was the Head Elf at school, organizing the troops when anyone had a problem. JoAnn called all of us “her people”. In 2003, the year we retired, there was a reception with the Board of Ed. After everyone went upstairs for the Board meeting, JoAnn noticed that there was a large tray of cookies left over. It was in our lunchroom the next day because, as she said to the woman in charge, “I need that for my people”. You happily made us laugh and drove the administration crazy. I was proud to be one of “your people” as well as your friend. You may have left us way too soon, but I know that you probably got there first because, “I need A LOT of space up here for 'my people' when they show up”! ♥ ♥

Condolence: JoAnn and I always had a good laugh together since our days on the executive board of the union. Since I wasn’t a drinker, JoAnn very quickly assumed that my drink coupons at union events were her coupons. There was no turning back from that arrangement no matter how many times I “fell off the wagon”. After she retired, I continued to see JoAnn at town hall where she worked for the Smithtown Tax Receiver collecting my property taxes. Despite, my constant begging, she never offered me a reduction on my taxes even though I did try to bribe her with recent additions of my books. She did, however, always take the time to write me an extensive glowing review which I greatly appreciated. JoAnn will be missed.