It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Joanne Margaret Brooks (O'Neill) on September 25th, 2024 at the age of 89.

Joanne was born in New York City on July 26, 1935 to Francis and Helen Higgins and sister to brother Frank.

The family lived on Long Island and in Brooklyn where she graduated from St. Brendan's High School, followed by The Katherine Gibbs School in NYC.

Joanne spent summers in Hopkinton, Massachusetts and it was there she met Richard Brooks, whom she married in 1956. Joanne and Richard's early years in Massachusetts were spent in Dorchester and Hopkinton before settling in historic Concord. During their 30 years of marriage, they had 5 children: Diane, Richard Jr., Susan, Christopher and Tracy. Diane pre-deceased her mother in 2019.

Joanne was for many years the beloved secretary at both the Harvey Wheeler School and then the Thoreau School in West Concord. She is remembered for her endless patience and kindness. In her retirement memory book, one young student wrote " seeing you every day made me feel happy".

Despite working full time, Joanne never missed attending any of her children's activities. Be it a school performance or standing out in the freezing cold watching a soccer game, she was always there. The day wasn't done though as she made a home cooked meal every night, including dessert!

Joanne retired to Sanibel Island, Florida, made friends quickly and was a devout member of St Isabel's Catholic church. In her nightly prayers, Joanne included anyone she knew who was struggling; some reading this probably unknowingly on her list. Joanne also loved spending summers with family at Merrymeeting Lake in New Hampshire. Other retirement activities included traveling the world, reading, tennis, bocce, and most important to her, spending time with her six grandchildren: Mark, Alex, Justin, Amanda, Jordan and Lindsey, and her great grandchild Aiden. Her children's spouses, Mark, Stephen, Lindsay and Jim loved their mother-in-law like their own mother as did granddaughter-in-law Kelly and step-granddaughter Julie and family.

Joanne was known for sending cards for every occasion to her family and friends. Be it birthdays, holidays, special events, or just to say hello, a handwritten note in the mailbox with that certain scribble, brought a smile to everyone.

In addition to her immediate family, Aunt Joanne was adored by many cousins and extended family & friends.

To mum, Grams, Bop Bop and JoJo, you showed us all how to be kind, grateful, unselfish and love unconditionally. You will be missed by all who knew and loved you.

Relatives and friends will gather for a Funeral Mass in St. Bernard's Church at Holy Family Parish, 12 Monument Square, Concord, Massachusetts on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 10 am, followed by a reception at the nearby Colonial Inn.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joanne's memory can be made to the following:

 https://www.captivasanibel.com/2018/11/15/sanibel-catholics-raise-funding-for-charities/ 

 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/ 

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord, MA.