Joann E. Walsh

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Joann (Jody) E. Walsh on September 30, 2024. For the past 5 years she resided at Ayer Valley Nursing and Rehab. Joann, born on March 7, 1952, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, was a bacon of creativity and love to all who knew her. Her spirit was as vibrant as her art, and her compassion was as deep as the sea she so admired at her sister's beach camp in New Hampshire. She was very creative and artistic. She was not just an individual but a living canvas, continually creating, giving, and loving, all while leaving a touch of beauty wherever she went. As Maya Angelou once said, "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." This quote was a testament to Joann's life. Joann graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1970 and attended Fitchburg State College. 

Joann dedicated much of her life to the healthcare sector, working tirelessly as a Nurse's Aid at local nursing homes and Umass medical in Worcester. Her generosity and loving nature shone through in her work, providing comfort and care to those most in need. Joann was a kind, selfless soul whose actions spoke louder than words. Her life was a living example of the quote, "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well."

Joann is survived by her son, Jason (Shannon) Burgess, granddaughter Reese Burgess, sister Nancy Tolos and brother-in-law Basil Tolos who cared for her during her prolonged illness and will miss her dearly Also, her nephew Greg Tolos and family, niece Christina Witherell and family, aunt Beverley Johnson, and cousins. She was widowed by her beloved husband, Francis Walsh, and was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Grace Maggs.

We would like to thank everyone at Ayer Valley Rehab and Nursing for their compassion and care. She enjoyed her stay there.

There will be no calling hours.A private graveside service will be held at a later date for the immediate family.

In celebrating Joann's life, we invite those who knew her to share their memories and upload photos on her memorial page. These memories will serve as a reminder of the impact Joann had on everyone she met and the love she shared with the world. Her legacy of creativity, generosity, love, and compassion will live on, not just in our hearts, but through the stories we share about her.

Kevin J. Mack, Walter C. Taylor, Melissa A. McQuaid, Funeral Directors.