Joanne C. Wallace

Born September 6, 1945 in New York City, Joanne was the only child of Joseph and Sophie Czechlewski. She was raised in Manhattan, and had an intense love for New York City her whole life.

After attending Marymount School of New York on 5th Avenue, Marymount College, Tarrytown and Teachers College, Columbia University, Joanne taught music for many years in the New York City public schools.

Joanne was loved by all who knew her, because she was smart, talented, witty, fun loving and extraordinary generous to her friends. Joanne loved being with people and people loved to be with her because she took a great interest in life. Joanne was devoted to her Catholic faith, friends and her family, especially her husband William (Bill), with whom she recently celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary.

Joanne and Bill were each other’s best friend, closest companion and biggest supporter. Rarely apart, they loved spending time with each other and everything they undertook was enhanced by being together. Joanne was a great advocate for her two children, working tirelessly to instill in them the values and morals needed to navigate life, teaching them through example unconditional love.

Music was Joanne’s passion. Blessed with a powerful mezzo-soprano voice, Joanne studied and sang opera professionally with Musica Reservata in New York, and later sang for many years with The Grace Notes in Greenwich, CT, and other groups, but most fun was when she could be coaxed into singing for family and friends, where she would light up the room. Joanne and Bill regularly attended the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic and myriad cultural offerings in New York City, a city she truly loved. Beyond music, Joanne loved her gardens, enjoyed golf and bridge, and was a good sport about her family’s love of sailing and being on the water, no matter how bad the weather.

Joanne lived in Greenwich, Connecticut, Watermill, New York and Hobe Sound, Florida and was a member of the Colony Club in New York City, The Belle Haven Club in Greenwich, Connecticut and Loblolly in Hobe Sound, Florida.

She will be missed desperately by her family and all the people she had contact with throughout her life. And they are certain that Joanne will be singing a heartfelt rendition of Sto lat as she is welcomed into heaven.

Joanne is survived by her husband William, her daughter Joan, her son Andrew and her daughter-in-law Wistar.

A wake will be held on Tuesday, July 21 and Wednesday, July 22 from 5PM to 8PM in Joanne’s home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, July 23 at 10:30AM at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola located at 980 Park Avenue in New York City, followed by internment at Saint Raymond’s Cemetery in the Bronx and a reception at the Belle Haven Club in Greenwich, CT. Please contact Gallagher Funeral Home at 203-869-1513 for more information.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Joanne’s memory to Marymount 5th Avenue.