Lyme, N.H. —
A 1956 graduate of the University of Connecticut with a major in music, Joanne moved to Lakeville in 1972 from Fairfield, Conn., where she had spent the first 18 years of her family life with the four children she had with her first husband, the late Richard O. Walsh.
She began her career as music teacher and choral director at Greens Farms Academy in Westport, Conn. After moving to Lakeville in the 1980s Joanne taught music at Indian Mountain School. She founded the popular “Music For Children” program of Orff & Kodaly method classes at Sharon Congregational Church, where she was also organist and choirmaster. She taught piano to numerous local students, and was an interim instructor of music history and choral director at the Hotchkiss School. Later she taught music at Salisbury School. Joanne was one of the founding board members of the former Berkshire Hills Music and Dance Association, a non-profit performing arts organization based in Lakeville which brought world class music and dance performances to the public. As choir director at Hotchkiss and Salisbury, for the Sharon Congregational and for the Lime Rock and Salisbury Episcopal churches, she conducted memorable performances of choral works and musicals and served as piano accompanist for others.
After Joanne married Robert G. Sohrweide in 1990, they resided in Lakeville, where Bob taught Latin and Greek and chaired the classics department at Hotchkiss. In 2006 they retired to Lyme.
In Lyme, Joanne served on the Friends of Lyme Library and was a member of the Women’s Club. She and Bob traveled extensively together, including a one-year tour of Europe during which Joanne accompanied Bob on a sabbatical to study Roman ruins.
In addition to her husband, Joanne is survived by her four children: Deborah Walsh Rathbun of Sharon, Barbara Walsh Hostetter of Boston, Mass., Timothy Walsh of Marblehead, Mass., and Jonathan Walsh of Cranston, R.I.; their spouses; 11 beloved grandchildren; and one great-grandaughter.
To view an online memorial and or send a message of condolence to the family, please visit www.rand-wilson.com.
The Rand-Wilson Funeral Home in Hanover was in charge of arrangements.
Donations may be made in her name to Friends of Lyme Library, P.O. Box 218, Lyme.
A concert and memorial will take place at the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Conn., July 23 in the afternoon. For details please email jwalsh@wheatoncollege.edu.