JOANNE WILLIAMS HART

Joanne Williams Hart died peacefully in her sleep, during the night of December 23, 2024, most likely with pleasant thoughts of Christmases past and her pipe organ music that meant so much to so many. Born in New Philadelphia, Ohio, on June 14, 1927, to E. Marie and George H. Williams, Joanne leaves behind a loving family of son, Thomas, and granddaughter, Patricia Hart of Ohio; son, Christopher, and grandsons, Amir and Samir Hart of Ontario; and daughter, Caroline, granddaughter, Cirri, and grandson, Stefan Nicholishen of New Mexico; along with numerous nephews and nieces. Joanne's organ career spanned 80 years, beginning at age 14 in her hometown's First Evangelical and Reformed Church, and continuing at Akron, Ohio's Trinity United Church of Christ until her 1971 relocation to Toronto. During her Akron years, Joanne was very active in the American Guild of Organists, serving as Dean of the Akron Chapter from 1961-63. Her 53 years of Toronto residency included 45 years as Toronto's First Church of Christ Science organist until her retirement. Her Canadian residency also included membership in the Royal Canadian Guild of Organists, of which she was a Regional Director for 13 years, on the National Council, and an Honorary Life Member with the 2012 Distinguished Service Award. Her Toronto years also included the 1974 formation of Hart/Murdoch Artist Management Agency with partner, Anne Murdoch. Together they assisted the careers of over 150 Canadian and international musical artists. As performing artist managers, they represented Canadian performing artists around the world, from the USSR to the Pacific Rim. As desired, Joanne will be cremated, with a memorial service at Toronto's Metropolitan United Church of Canada on January 18, 2025, at 11 a.m., to be followed by a New Philadelphia, Ohio, family plot inurnment ceremony this summer.