DONLON, Joanne M. (Simeone) of Winchester passed away peacefully on December 11, 2018. Beloved wife of Joseph M. Donlon Sr. Loving mother of Mary Graffeo and her husband Michael of Humarock, Anthony and his wife Louise of Winchester, Joseph Jr. and his wife Susan of Winchester, Kimberly Donlon of San Diego, CA, and Sean Donlon and his wife Shauneen of Winchester. Cherished “Bubba” of 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Dear sister of Rosemarie Maida and her husband Larry. A funeral will be held from the Lane Funeral Home, 760 Main St. (Rte. 38), WINCHESTER on Saturday, December 15th at 8am. Followed by a Mass of Christian burial at St. Mary’s Church Winchester at 9am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 3-7pm. Interment Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to Winchester Foundation for Education Excellence, P.O. Box 1005, Winchester, MA 01890.
Joanne was born to Anthony and Mary (Irrabino) Simone in the City of Medford in 1938. She had an older brother Robert and was later joined by her younger sister and best friend Rosie. She attended the Mary Cliff Academy in Winchester as a young girl. It was after school with her girlfriends one day that Joanne met the love of her life, Joseph Donlon at Randalls and they immediately fell in love. She continued her education and at Salve Regina College in Rhode Island. Soon after Joanne and Joe decided to marry and move to Winchester to start their family. Together over a marriage of nearly 59 years they raised five beautiful children, Mary, Tony, Joe, Kim, and Sean. Although she was very busy with her young and growing family, Joanne knew the importance of education both for herself and others. She enrolled at Northeastern University and received her master’s degree in special education. Joanne went on to teach in the Winchester Public School System for many years as a Special Education teacher. She worked at the elementary level at the Muraco and Lincoln schools as well as the McCall Middle School; and after helping countless children over decades finally retired in 2001. Over the years Joanne also took on one of her most treasured roles as Grandmother and great grandmother and became affectionately known as “Bubba” to her 14 grandchildren and one great grandchild. “Bubba” truly enjoyed her grandchildren and could often be seen around town with at least one of them, or maybe a few, going for ice cream, watching a game or having a study date. As with her own children she stressed to her grandchildren the importance of a good education and was always reminding them to “Do your homework!” As a mother and grandmother, Joanne's immense love for her family was well known and her devotion was unfailing. Throughout life her life she inspired her family and those around her with the most positive attitude a person could have and her faith in Jesus Christ was unwavering. Her infectious smile and kind way will be greatly missed by all her family, friends and those that knew her best as "Bubba".