Joanne M. Culkeen

January 8, 1955 — May 11, 2021

Joanne M. Culkeen, age 66, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 in the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts with her family by her side. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on January 8, 1955, she was the daughter of William F. and Rosemarie A. (Cerqua) Culkeen. She was raised in Newton, Massachusetts, where she graduated from Newton North High School with the Class of 1973. Following her graduation, Joanne continued her education at Massachusetts Bay Community College, earning her associate degree in 1975. With her degree in hand, Joanne began her career in healthcare at Baystate Health in Boston, Massachusetts and Met State/McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, working in medical coding and records management.

In 1987, Joanne settled in Westwood, Massachusetts, where she welcomed her two children, Elizabeth and John. While pregnant with Elizabeth, Joanne continued her education, taking courses at Emmanuel College, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management in 1989. After her graduation and shortly after the birth of her second child, John, in 1992, Joanne returned to her full-time career in healthcare, taking a position with Quincy Hospital (Quincy Medical Center), serving as the hospital librarian and working in the intake department of the emergency room. Over the years, Joanne actively took courses and attended many training seminars to uphold her credentials and licenses. She proudly served the Quincy Hospital, staff and her patients for over twenty years before the hospital closing in 2014. Joanne made her home in East Walpole beginning in 2016 and found her new spiritual home at Saint Mary's Church.

When Joanne wasn't hard at work, she loved spending time with her family and friends or escaping to the beach with a good book in hand. She will be fondly remembered for her intelligence, kindness, creativity, quick-wit and love for animals. Her dry sense of humor and impeccable timing will be greatly missed by those who loved her and knew her best, as she was sure to get everyone to crack a smile.

Loving mother of Elizabeth Claudia Donovan of Norwood and John Culkeen Donovan of Brighton.

Devoted daughter of Rosemarie A. (Cerqua) Culkeen of Newton and the late William F. Culkeen.

Also survived by her sister, Jeanmarie Lawson and her husband, Timothy, of Natick, and her twin sister, Janet R. McManus and her husband, Michael, of Norwood.

At the request of Joanne's family, all funeral services will be private, with interment taking place in the Newton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society 3 Speen Street Framingham, MA 01701.

Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.

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Joanne M. Culkeen

January 8, 1955 — May 11, 2021

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