Jo-Ann (Fontaine) Burlingame, 62 of Charlton, passed peacefully on June 24, 2021 after a courageous 14-month battle with cancer. She leaves behind her beloved husband and best friend, Nelson, and her three loving children, Benjamin and his wife Jessa of Brimfield, Casey and his wife Tracy of Spencer, and JoEllen and her husband Kyle of Charlton. Jo-Ann also leaves two sisters, Victoria Lemoine of Summerfield, FL and Terri Fontaine-Morgan of Charlton. She is survived by five grandchildren whom she adored, Brett, Reese, Clara, Franklin, and Finnian, nieces and nephews, including Katrina Rigiero, and her dear best friend, Carmen Julian. She also leaves behind her two rescue dogs, Maggie and Maple. Jo-Ann was predeceased by her parents, Margaret and Harvey, and two brothers, Daniel and William.
Jo-Ann graduated Bay Path High School in 1976 and married her first love, Nelson, in 1977. She worked a variety of interesting jobs, including as a farmhand, a housekeeper, a seamstress, a daycare provider, a UPS loader, and a teaching assistant to special education students at Charlton Street School. Jo-Ann was also a valuable partner to her husband helping run the family business, NBC Construction. She was a master gardener and enjoyed maintaining beautiful perennial gardens at the home she shared with Nelson. Spending time with family was the most important thing to Jo-Ann, and she made a point of showing love and care by hosting family dinners, game nights, holidays, and birthday parties. She always had a listening ear, good advice, a great recipe or funny joke to share, and was always down for a cup of coffee and conversation.
Jo-Ann will be remembered by those who loved her for her kind and whimsical heart, her love of animals, her quick wit, and her hysterical sense of humor. Jo-Ann was a talented artist, whether it was painting beautiful landscapes and birds, or creating unique pieces of furniture for her home. She enjoyed the small and everyday pleasures of life, like old country roads, home-cooked meals, and laughter.
A Graveside Service will be held at West Ridge Cemetery at 10AM on July 10 it was Jo-Ann’s request that those in attendance wear their “happiest color,” and that they celebrate her life, rather than mourn her death. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Animal Shelter Inc. of Sterling. ROBERT J. MILLER– CHARLTON FUNERAL HOME, 175 Old Worcester Rd. is assisting the family with arrangements.
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