Joanne T. Macomber

Joanne (Thomas) Macomber passed away, peacefully, on May 4, 2015, at the John Bertram House in Salem, Massachusetts. She was born Joanne Dorothea Thomas on May 28, 1926, in Johnson City, Tennessee to Earle and Helen Thomas.

Although she was raised predominantly in the Northeast (Rye, New York), Joanne loved her southern roots, spending much time over the years with her mother’s family in Johnson City. The smell of honeysuckle and gardenias would always bring back fond memories of Tennessee. Joanne loved all things in nature but especially the ocean. She spent the “summer of ’42” in Marblehead when she was 16 years old. She fell in love with not only the town but also her next door neighbor, Bill Macomber.

After graduating from Mount Holyoke College in1948, she and Bill were married on September 5TH, at her parents’ home in Rye, New York. While Bill finished college at RPI, Joanne worked in an orphanage as a social worker. After returning to Marblehead, caring for children was a thread throughout her whole life as a stay-at-home Mom, raising four children, always welcoming neighbors and friends. She then taught pre-school at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church in Marblehead. She went on to become the best grandmother ever to eight grandchildren, who all adored her. She will be missed by more than just her family. She was loved by all who knew her. Her smile would warm hearts; her loving, accepting, kind nature was enjoyed by everyone in her life.

Joanne was predeceased by her brother, Gordon Thomas and by her beloved husband of 66 years, William Safford Macomber. She leaves behind her sister, Betsy Thomas Amin-Arsala and her husband, Hedayat, of Washington, DC. She will be forever missed by her children: William (Skip) W. Macomber and his wife, Claudia, of Marblehead; Ann Macomber Weaver and her partner, Ken Winter, of Auburn, ME; Scott T. Macomber and his wife, Colleen, of Naperville, IL; and Jon P. Macomber and his wife, Elizabeth, of Beverly and her grandchildren: Camden E. Tadhg; Bradford J. Macomber and his wife, Regina; Jonathan T. Weaver; Matthew S. Macomber; Kelly M. Heintz and her husband, Chris; Wesley E. Macomber; Trevor T. Macomber and his wife, Kelly; Laura E. Macomber; and her great-granddaughter Marabella S. Macomber. “Auntie Jo” will be missed by her many nieces and nephews.

The Macomber family thanks the loving staff at the John Bertram House of Salem, MA. the staff of Care Dimensions of Danvers, MA. and the staff of Private Home Care of Marblehead.

A celebration of Joanne’s life will be held at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church in Marblehead on Saturday, June 6, 2015, at 1 PM. Memorial donations may be made to St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, 67 Cornell Road, Marblehead, MA 01945 or to CARE DIMENSIONS, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B102, Danvers, MA. 01923. Arrangements by Eustis and Cornell of Marblehead.