Joanne was born in Pocahontas, Iowa on December 9, 1932. She graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic High School in 1949 and from Iowa State Teachers College in 1952. After teaching Kindergarten in Iowa for 5 years, she moved to Dallas with her husband and family in 1959. She resumed her career in 1966 as a kindergarten teacher at Mary Immaculate Catholic School in Farmers Branch where she taught for the next 29 years. Her children and four of her grandchildren attended Mary Immaculate. Her love and devotion to the nearly 2,000 kindergarteners she taught earned her the lifelong devotion, love and respect of both her students and their parents.
Joanne is preceded in death by her beloved husband Thomas, parents Alice and Edward Donohoe, as well as her brothers George, John, Denny and sister Betty. Joanne is survived by her sons, Thomas and Steven, her daughters Kristi and Cathy, grandchildren Steven, Michael, Erin, Caroline, Joe, Kelli and Dylan, as well as her sister Rita Eischen and many nieces and nephews.
Her life inspired and deeply affected so many who came to know her. She will be missed greatly by her loving family, her many dear friends and former students, all of whom were truly blessed by the love she shared with each of them.
A celebration of Joanne’s life will be held on Friday, March 1st at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church. Services begin with a Rosary at 10:00 am, Funeral Mass at 10:30 am, with a reception following.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to Mary Immaculate Catholic School in Farmers Branch.
