I moved from an IBM office in White Plains NY to the Portland Maine office in ‘76 at the tender age of 22.  Joanne warmly greeted me and we shared a special bond.  Her own daughter was named Holly!  I was the beneficiary of her love for her daughter…as my calls would get transferred to her “Holly’s on line 1” and she would greet me with the endearing  “Hi sweetheart!” And I would quickly announce that I “was the other Holly!”  “Oh, I love you too!” She would say!  
She was such a wonderful EA to Dick Joyce, a famous Maine son, who played baseball for Cheverius, Holy Cross & the KC Royals.  We had such a great office, full of stellar, charismatic people.  Truly a microscopic Petri dish of all the traits that made IBMers successful and beloved, by customers and co-workers.  
Joanne was the heart of the office, she, Connie Johnley and Ellie were the real deal; tremendous female role models, both professionally and personally.  Indebted forever for their examples. 

JoAnne and I worked closely together at the IBM Maine office in the mid 1980s.  She was so gracious and welcoming when I arrived in Maine for the first time ever on my first day of work.  JoAnne was the heart of the office, she was well loved and respected by all.  She kept everything running.  I often think of her as she was a true role model.

I had the privilege of working with Joanne at IBM for years.
She always had a smile and was the go  to person for employees and customers alike.   Joanne was a very talented individual and shared her time and talents with so many through her work and her volunteering.  She made a difference in the world. 

i remember her being a dear,sweet lady who worked in the food pantry at GCM. Thoughts and prayers to Burt , her daughter, and the rest of the family.

Dillard Memorial Funeral Home

Joanne Best

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Joanne Dorothy Best

April 8, 1933 – January 12, 2021

Dillard Memorial Funeral Home & Hillcrest Memorial Park

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