Joanne F Kaarto
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Joanne F. Kaarto, 59, of New Ipswich, NH passed away peacefully while surrounded by her loving family on Monday, March 22, 2021, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Jody was born in Peterborough, NH on April 4, 1961, daughter of the late William and Patricia (Toko) Thayer. She was a 1979 graduate of Cushing Academy in Ashburnham MA, and later earned her nursing degrees from Mount Wachusett Community College and Fitchburg State University.
Jody had been a Registered Nurse for over 30 years, beginning her career at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, NH before eventually moving into the executive and educational sides of nursing. For the past eight years, Jody had worked for Anthem as a Process Improvement Director where she developed educational platforms that acted as a bridge between doctors and their patients.
Jody was a wife; a mother; a 'Nannie' to four grandchildren; a sister; a friend and an incredible nurse. Her natural instinct to care made her a very special person to so many people. Joanne grew up in the Congregational Church of New Ipswich where her family was active for many years. She especially loved her time as a Sunday School teacher, participating in the Children's Fair, and helping to put on the Christmas Eve pageant. Jody will be remembered as the best pie-maker, cook and homemaker. She loved the holidays and summer days on the boat with family. She enjoyed the theater, ballet dancing, long sister weekends and travel.
She is survived by her husband of 40 years, James N. Kaarto of New Ipswich; her daughter, Meagan P. Kaarto of Portsmouth, NH; her two sons, Nathan J. Kaarto of Greenfield, NH and Ryan R. Kaarto of Keene, NH; her three sisters, Susan Wydra and her husband Brian of Dover, NH, Pamela Dutton and her husband Stephen of Vienna, VA and Mary Bernard and her husband Stephen of Hilton Head, SC; her brother Philip Thayer of New Ipswich, NH; 4 grandchildren, three nieces, six nephews and her beloved English Lab, Bonnie.
In accordance with Jody's wishes, services will be private and at the convenience of her family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making celebration-of-life contributions to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, 580 Court St. Keene, NH 03431, or to Joy's Network, 463 Washington St. Keene, NH 03431.
For Joanne's complete obituary, or to share memories, photographs, and condolences with her family, please visit www.cournoyerfh.com