Joanne’s Obituary Joanne “Josie” Frances (Felker) Hartnett, 88, was born in Quincy, MA on November 5, 1930, the daughter of Donald and Frances Felker. She was one of 5 children. She attended Framingham State Teachers College, earning a degree in Home Economics.
In 1951 she married John “Jack” Henry Hartnett. After finishing college in 1952, she joined Jack in southern Germany, where he served in the US Army and she taught reading skills to soldiers. In 1959, they moved to Waynesboro with his job for General Electric, where they raised six children.
Her husband left her too soon, dying just before Christmas in 1977. She remained strong and independent as she took charge of the household after his death — Joanne loved and devoted her life to her family. She also loved her many friends – playing bridge with the “gang”, playing a round of golf, bowling leagues, and just having a cup of coffee with a good friend in the morning.
She enjoyed the family trips to the beach and holiday gatherings with her extended family. She was so proud of being a good mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Joanne attended St. John’s The Evangelist Catholic Church and her faith was an important part of her life.
After her husband’s death, she served on the board of the Waynesboro Country Club and as the Executive Officer of the Waynesboro Board of Realtors. She loved animals and enjoyed having her cat with her when she “retired” and moved into Summit Square in 2003. In her new home, she continued to be independent and loved by many.
While living at Summit she enjoyed drawing, watching her birds, and visiting with her many friends, and she remained active as long as she could. She will be cremated and buried beside her husband in Riverview Cemetery in a private burial. She is survived by one sister, Mary Lou O’Shea, her six children — Gary Hartnett (Sharon), Jeffrey Hartnett (Bonney), Karen Huff (Gary), Paul Hartnett (Ana), Cathy Horvath (Keith), and Donna Smith (Joe), her 14 grandchildren — Emily, David, Jonathan, Jennifer, Kristen, Jack, Sara, Rachel, Michael, Hallie, Hanna, Hazel, Josh, Mitchell, and her 6 great-grandchildren — Ally, Kayla, Brooke, Logan, Henley L., and Henley H. They will all miss her terribly.
McDow Funeral Home will be assisting with the arrangements. Memories and condolences can be shared at www. mcdowfuneralhomeinc.com.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 15, at 11:00 am at St. John’s The Evangelist Catholic Church, with a lunch reception immediately following. Family visitation will be in The Gallery at Summit Square Friday evening from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Joanne and her family were always grateful for all of the wonderful people at Summit Square.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to their Sunnyside Fellowship Fund; you can find it on their website: www. sunnysidecommunities.com.
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