JoAnn M. Holm

1950 - 2023

JoAnn M. Holm was born on February 14, 1950 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of David and Mary McDermott of Great Barrington, Massachusetts. She attended the local schools and graduated from Searles High School in 1967. JoAnn then attended Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts with a major in Education and English and graduated with honors in 1971. In 1996, she earned her Masters of Education degree from Lesley College in Cambridge, MA.

JoAnn married her college love, Robert R. Holm in 1972 and they resided in Great Barrington, Massachusetts with their three children, R. Todd Holm, Jonna C. Holm and Lara M. Holm Smith.

She loved teaching her students, and worked for the Berkshire Hills Regional School District from 1971 to 2005. She taught Elementary, Middle, and High School students. She was active in the PTO, often as the secretary, for the schools her children attended. She even had the pleasure of teaching her own children. After retiring from teaching, she joined her husband on his delivery route for Laramee's cleaners.

JoAnn was a parishioner of St. Peter's Church. In her younger years, she served on the Parish Counsel and volunteered as a lector at Mass.

Predeceasing JoAnn was her parents, husband, and nephew, Sean Furey.

She is survived by her sisters, Mary Ellen Gray and Jane Furey. Her children, daughter in law, Danielle Dowd Holm; son in law, Jason Smith and grandson, Liam Smith. She also has several nieces and nephews.

Those persons wishing to make a donation in JoAnn's memory may do so to Hospice Care in the Berkshires or to a local Berkshire organization of their choice.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, August 30 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at Birches-Roy Funeral Home located in Great Barrington. The funeral will be Thursday, August 31 at 10:00am at St. Peter's Church in Great Barrington. Condolences may be through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.