Joanne Florence Haggerty

Joanne F. (Walsh) Haggerty, 84, of Attleboro, MA, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family at her residence February 24, 2023, following a brief illness. She was the loving wife of the late Robert S. Haggerty to whom she was married June 29, 1973 and who entered into eternal rest September 15, 2014.
Born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island June 29, 1938, she was a daughter of the late Stephen P. Walsh and the late Florence R. (Fitzpatrick) Walsh.
Raised as part of a devoted Catholic family, Joanne was a 1955 graduate of St. Mary Academy - Bay View in East Providence, Rhode Island. Joanne joined the Sisters of Mercy after graduating from high school and remained in religious life for more than fifteen years. Joanne earned her bachelor's degree from Mercy College and her master's degree in mathematics from Rhode Island College.
After leaving religious life, Joanne began her career in the Attleboro School Department in 1970. She taught math and served as the math department co-coordinator at Peter Thacher Middle School for thirteen years. It was there that she met the man that would become her husband, also a local accomplished educator. Joanne moved to the math department at Attleboro High School in 1983, where she taught until her retirement. At AHS, Joanne served as the advisor for the classes of 1987 and 1992, was a student dean for two years, and was inducted as an honorary member of the National Honor Society with the class of 1995.
Joanne was a longtime communicant at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church where she was, among other things, a member of the Liturgy Committee. She volunteered countless hours at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, was a member of the National Education Association, the Massachusetts Teachers' Association, and was a longtime member of Highland Country Club where she enjoyed playing golf and socializing with her and her husband's wide circle of friends.
Joanne spent many years with her husband, who was a member of the Attleboro Rotary Club, serving the local community. She was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International and worked with her husband to organize annual charity golf tournaments in support of the local Special Olympics.
Joanne leaves her daughter: Mary Beth Erwin and her husband, Anthony R. Erwin, and their children: Rachel, Olivia, and Giuliana Erwin, all of Attleboro, MA; her late husband's children: Robin Hallowell and her husband, David, of Duxbury, MA; Robert Schwarz and his wife, Mary, of Wareham, MA; Colleen Tavekelian and her husband, Steve, of Plymouth, MA, and their children and grandchildren.
Joanne was predeceased by her siblings: Stephen Walsh, Ann "Nancy" Laferriere, Daniel Walsh, and Donald Walsh.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend Visitation Wednesday, March 1, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, March 2, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, North Main Street, Attleboro, MA.
Burial will follow in the Mt. St. Mary's Cemetery, Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joanne's name may be made to Sturdy Memorial Hospital.
For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com
Arrangements under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA. 508-695-0200