JoAnne T. (Landry) Rondeau

Shrewsbury - JoAnne T. Rondeau died peacefully on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester surrounded by family. She was 74 and died due to complications of ovarian cancer.

JoAnne Therese Landry was born in Lowell, Massachusetts and raised in Dracut, a daughter of the late Josephat and Valeda B. (Morrissette) Landry. Brought up in a French-speaking household with eight siblings, she was the second youngest in the house and graduated from Dracut High School in 1965.

She married Donald E. Rondeau in 1971 at St. Theresa Church in Dracut and in 1978 they moved to Shrewsbury. JoAnne enjoyed her work with UMASS – Amherst in its Worcester location in the nutrition education program for over twenty years. Trained as a secretary, she impressed everyone with her shorthand that allowed her to write as quickly as anyone could talk.

JoAnne also was an avid machine knitter and seamstress. She knitted many sweaters and countless gifts for her family and friends. A rite of passage for new family members was receiving a knitted Christmas stocking with their name on it. Her home in Shrewsbury was where she prepared delicious meals and baked goods and happily hosted many holidays and gatherings for family and friends. In retirement, JoAnne was an active member of the Machine Knitters Club. She loved travelling, her children have many fond memories of vacations in the New Hampshire White Mountains. She and Don also travelled throughout the US, Canada, and Europe.

A member of Saint Mary's Parish, JoAnne sang in the choir for over twelve years. In earlier years, she served as a Eucharistic Minister.

Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in February 2020 she fought the disease as best she could. The disruption of Covid enabled her to recover in the comforts of her home. These two additional years allowed JoAnne to meet her sixth grandchild and enjoy two high school graduations.

JoAnne's family extends heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Susan L. Zweizig, MD and the staff at UMass Memorial for their wonderful care and the extra time we had with her. The family also thanks the dedicated staff at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home.

JoAnne was predeceased by her siblings Roger Landry, Raymond Landry, Yvette (late Roland) Guy, and Donald Landry.

In addition to her husband of 51 years, Don, she leaves her children Dawn Marie Horan (Peter) of Auburn and Andrew D. Rondeau (Jevon) of Sandwich; her grandchildren, Patrick, Ellie, and Matthew Horan and Flora, Gloria, and Noelle Rondeau; and her siblings, Beatrice Reault (late Richard) of Lowell, Angel C. Landry of Southport, North Carolina, Claire F. (Hovey) Penny (Everett) of Dracut, Lorraine C. Major of Hampton, New Hampshire and Raymond 'Sonny' Landry (Dawn) of Rochester, New Hampshire; in-laws, Norman Rondeau (Mary) and Elaine Dolan (late Frank), all of Dracut; many nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor JoAnne's life by gathering for a calling hour on Monday, September 26th from 10:00 to 11:15 a.m. in Saint Mary's Church, 640 Main Street, Shrewsbury, followed by her funeral Mass celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be held Tuesday, September 27th in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Chelmsford at 1 p.m.

JoAnne requested that memorials in her name may be made to UMass Memorial Healthcare | Philanthropy Office | Attn. Parker Gagney, Women Cancer Research, 365 Plantation St, Worcester, MA 01655.

Arrangements by James & John Heald of The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, Waltham.