AMHERST, MA – Joanne Dunn Parker, 91, of Easthampton, died in her sleep on Sunday, September 2 following a long illness. She was born Joanne Elizabeth Dunn on June 21, 1927 in Seattle, WA, the daughter of John Joseph Dunn and Wilhelmina Hinckel Dunn. Wife of the late Robert George Parker of Rocky Hill, CT, she was formerly the wife of the late Frank Middleton Woolner of Shrewsbury.

Joanne is survived by her daughter, Leslie Woolner Bardsley, and granddaughter, Alexandra Middleton Woolner, both of Easthampton; several nieces and nephews; her husband’s children, Robert G. Parker, Jr., of Northport, NY, Virginia D. Parker, of Winder, GA, Steven J. Parker, of Venice, FL, and Wells C. Parker, of North Port, FL; and from a prior marriage, Beth and Michael Underwood of Marion and Mattapoisett, MA; and a lifelong friend, Sally Satterberg Cahill Brookbank, of  Friday Harbor, WA.

Joanne was predeceased by her brothers, John P. Dunn of Chatham and West Boylston, MA, and Jay W. Dunn of Meredith, NH.

In Seattle, Joanne attended Broadway High School and St. Nicholas School for Girls, and graduated from Shrewsbury [MA] High School in 1944. She attended Worcester Art Museum School.

Joanne was a licensed real estate broker in Connecticut. As she moved with her family, she became a personnel placement counselor in Hartford, a fashion model in the New York area, and in Boston an electronics firm expediter, a commercial painting estimator, and a general construction estimator.

During her marriage to Bob Parker, Joanne was an architectural construction estimator for the Public Works Department, State of Connecticut, notably one of only three female estimators in the state at the time of her hire in the 1970s. After her retirement, her interest in design led her to Blacklion, an interior design center, as its greeter and concierge. Joanne loved the arts as a spectator and a participant, particularly in dance, theatre, and applied art. She has written a memoir; she was a member of American Mensa, a volunteer at the Westborough Senior Center, a member/volunteer of Worcester Art Museum, and an election officer for the Town of Westborough.

While living in Seattle in the early 1990s, Joanne was a reservist with FEMA Region 10 and, following earthquakes in California and typhoon Omar in Guam, served on teams in those locations securing accommodations for the homeless.  

Joanne has offered her remains to assist in extending lives of those afflicted with reparable health problems, or for educational purposes. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to support Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials research at the Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Checks should be made out to “Trustees of Boston University,” with “Clinical Research in Neurodegenerative Disease Fund” in the memo line. Checks should be mailed to Nicole Gullotti, BU ADC, BU School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, B7800, Boston, MA 02118.

A memorial in celebration of her life is being planned by her family.