Joanna Martin Holloway Nicholson, age 80, passed away in the comfort of her home on April 27th surrounded by family and dear friends. Joanna was born on May 27, 1937 in Durham, NC, the daughter of the late Joseph (“Judge”) Clark Holloway, M.D., from North Carolina, and Jewell Martin, from Kentucky. Growing up in Durham, Joanna was a championship tennis player, duckpin bowler, and plug caster.
She attended Duke University, receiving her undergraduate degree in Sociology and her Master of Arts in Teaching in English, after which she moved to the northeast to begin her long and distinguished career in Education. After teaching high school English and Reading for 10 years, Joanna taught college and graduate-level classes for almost 20 years. A co-founder of the Teachers Center at Fairfield, Inc., a division of Fairfield University’s Graduate School of Education, Joanna served as the Coordinator of Special Curriculum Areas, while simultaneously pursuing her Doctorate of Education, which she earned in 1980.
After directing Fairfield’s Special Programs and Teaching Institutes, Joanna served for 10 years as an administrator for the Stamford, CT Public Schools. Joanna’s career culminated in serving for a decade as the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Bethel, CT Public Schools, a position that was near and dear to her heart. She retired from that position in 2005 but continued to serve as an Educational Consultant and Coach for several years.
In addition to her impressive professional and athletic accomplishments, Joanna was known for being a sharp, spirited, funny and inquisitive woman, along with being a devoted friend. Weekend mornings were spent listening to classical music, drinking hot coffee, and immersing herself in the reading of yet another book pulled from the to-be-read tall stacks about the house. Her other passions included conversation with family and friends, golfing (she served on the Town of Westport Golf Advisory Committee), cooking, and trying out all the latest sports equipment.
Joanna’s southern roots were ever present, with her continued love of collard greens, hot apple pie with melted cheddar cheese, her faithful support of the Duke basketball team, and her memories of the family pets: Peapot, Jingo, and Little Bitty One. Joanna adored her children and grandchildren, and her face could light up the darkest of rooms whenever she saw them. Throughout her career, Joanna had the loving support of her husband, Anthony Nicholson, who shared her passion for education, and with whom she raised her family in Westport, CT.
Joanna and Tony relocated to Saratoga Springs two years ago to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Joanna passed away less than two weeks following Tony’s passing, after sharing 53 years of marriage. Joanna is predeceased by her brother, Joseph Holloway, and her nephew Joey Holloway.
She is survived by her son, Timothy J. Nicholson, M.D., and his wife Denise L. Evert. ; daughter Katherine F. Nicholson; grandchildren Emma Katherine and Bennett Anthony Nicholson; niece Joanna Keasler and nephew David Holloway; and grand-dogs Duff and Max. A joint celebration of Joanna and Tony’s lives will take place on Saturday May 5th in Westport, CT.
In Joanna’s honor, donations may be made to Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots organization.
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