Joanne L. Houle

ATHOL - Joanne Lee (Partridge) Houle, 63, of Athol, died on Friday, November 25, 2011 at the UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.   Joanne was born in Worcester on July 10, 1948, the daughter of the late Robert Partridge and the late Barbara (Cullen) Klein. She was raised in Athol and attended local schools. She worked for the former Railroad Salvage in Turners Falls before becoming a homemaker for several years. After her children were grown, Joanne worked for Cambium Casket Company in Athol.    She resided in Ft. Meyer, FL, for eight years then relocated to Green River Village in Vermont for a year before returning to Athol. Mrs. Houle was a former member of the Starrett Memorial United Methodist Church in Athol. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, plastic canvas stitching and crossword puzzles. Joanne loved to dance and listen to country-western music. She enjoyed scenic rides and was an avid purse collector. Most of all, Joanne loved spending time with her family.   She leaves three daughters, Tammy Allen of Athol, Janet Lang and her husband Charles Jr. of Greenfield, Judy Marazoff of Colrain; one son, John Swan, Jr. and his wife Tracy of Athol; one step son, Robert Geedy of Athol; her fiancé, John Chapin, Sr. of Green River Village, VT; four sisters, Judy Britt and her husband Robert of Orange, Jeanne Stevens and her husband David of Athol, Joyce Bezio and her husband Joseph of Orange, Jayne Tuttle and her husband Charles of Brockton; one brother: Jayleon Partridge and his companion Marian Jillson of Athol; her; twenty-four grandchildren, four great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.   In addition to her parents, she was also predeceased by her husband of twenty-one years, Robert R. Houle, on November 15, 2009; by her step father, William Klein, and by her step mother, Earla Partridge.   Graveside services will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the Highland Cemetery, Hillside Terrace, Athol.  There are no calling hours.   In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in her memory to UMass Memorial Medical Center: UMass Medicine Development Office, 333 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 or River Terrace Healthcare, 1675 Main Street, Lancaster, MA 01523-2405. $(document).ready(function(){ });