JoAnne Sam passed away on March 3, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona. She was born on July 17, 1953 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. JoAnne was the eldest daughter of Norman Harold and Sara Jane Sam. In 1962 the family moved to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania where she attended elementary school, junior high and high school. JoAnne graduated from Liberty High School in 1971 and then attended East Stroudsburg University. In 1974 she earned her degree in Physical Education, taught at Moravian Academy in Bethlehem from 1975-1977 and earned her Master's degree from Lehigh University in 1977. JoAnne moved to Tucson in 1977 and taught PE in Nogales and Tucson until her retirement in 2003. JoAnne was also Adjunct Faculty for the University of Arizona. She travelled extensively after her retirement until her declining health forced her to stop. JoAnne was also very involved with the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society. She is survived by two sisters, Karen Treanor of Laguna Beach, California and Beth Rogers of Modesto, California and three brothers, Norman Sam of Casa Grande, Arizona, David Sam of Bluffton, South Carolina and Robert Sam of Tucson. JoAnne was a very generous aunt to her six nieces and three nephews as well as several grand nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a nephew, Aaron Sam. Per JoAnne's wishes, the Neptune Society handled the body and her ashes will be scattered in the ocean off the Oregon Coast where they will hopefully be taken around the world by the current. No other services are planned.
