Joanne (Maher) Taylor, 91, formerly of Millis, Chatham and Dighton, Massachusetts peacefully went home to God Sunday, August 8, 2021.
Joanne was born November 9, 1929 to James R. Maher and Harriette C. (Lord) Maher in Framingham MA.
After graduating Framingham High School in 1947 Joanne continued her education at Emmanuel College, graduating with a Math Degree in 1951. During a Christmas break from college, while she was working a job at the Brookline Post Office, Joanne met her future husband John (Jack) Taylor. They married on February 14, 1953 and celebrated 49 years of marriage before Jack’s Death in 2002.
Joanne started her carrier with General Electric at a time that was difficult for woman to succeed in business, reminding everyone later in life that she was the only woman in her department. Joanne left GE to further her education at Framingham College. Before she could complete this venture, she left school to take on the role of mom and take care of the four Sullivan children.
Her legacy lives on through this remarkable deed set in motion in 1966. Joanne and her husband "temporarily" took in these four siblings who had prematurely lost their mother. A family bond was formed immediately that would last a lifetime and positively impact the existence of everyone involved. Joanne effortlessly became "Mom" to the four children and later, Nanna to their children
After raising her family Joanne went back to work as the Housing Director for the towns of Millis and Walpole until her retirement in 1995.
In retirement, she made Chatham her permanent home. While living there she served as a board member of the Chatham Housing Authority for over ten years.
She is best described as a wonderful woman who was defined by her deep Catholic faith, kindness and big heart.
Joanne is survived by three children; John Sullivan and his wife Jane of Dover, MA, Gavin Sullivan and his wife Petra of Divide, CO, and Louise Kelly and her husband Ed of Dighton MA. She was known as Nana to her six grandchildren, Justin MacDonald, Keegan Sullivan, Liam Sullivan, Taylor Kelly, Molly Sullivan, and Kathleen Kelly. Joanne is also survived by her brother Richard Maher of Ashland, MA, with whom she was very close.
She was predeceased by her son, Mark Sullivan and her baby sister, Kathleen Maher.
Her funeral will be held Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 10 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford followed by her Funeral Mass at 11 AM at Holy Name Church, 121 Mt. Pleasant St., New Bedford. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Ave., Bourne, at 1:15 PM. Visiting hours will be Tuesday, August 17th from 4-7 PM. In lieu of flowers it was Joanne's wish that a donation be made to her Alma Mater, Emmanuel College Alumni Relations, 400 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115, noting her name in the memo line. Or online using their giving link https://alumni.emmanuel.edu/make-a-gift. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.