Joanne Markey Weber, 82, of Middlebury, passed away on Friday, June 28 surrounded by her family, after a long illness.

A lifelong Vermont resident, Joanne was born on July 27, 1941 to George and Charlotte Markey in Manchester, Vermont. She studied nursing at St. Luke's School of Nursing, and married her high school sweetheart, Ken in 1960, to whom she was married for 62 years. Ken and Joanne raised 5 children, settling in Bristol, Vermont. Joanne poured all her energy into this vocation and will be lovingly remembered as a great mom. She and Ken loved to take the family on adventures, hiking or camping in the wilds of Vermont, as well as traveling cross-country to California, Maine and Florida. Later in life, Joanne went back and completed her nursing degree at the University of Vermont, and Ken and Joanne opened the St. Gerard Home, where they cared for terminally ill patients for 10 years. Upon retiring from that work, Joanne continued to pursue her passions: art, writing children's books, music, counseling, medical advocacy, and doting on her children and grandchildren. She was a champion for justice and hated to see anyone suffer or be estranged. In word and deed she fought to break down barriers and heal divisions.

Joanne is survived by her children: Kurt (Nancy) Weber, Kevin (Margaret) Weber, Chris (Laura) Weber, Kendra (Timothy) Gratton, and Craig (Eva) Weber; her grandchildren: Bailey, Tristan, Gus, Brian, Jennifer, Riley, Ellen, Damian, Aaron, Cameron, and Colton; six great-grandchildren: Calvin, Ben, Jacob, Lucas, Jesslyn, and Dayana; her brother Francis (Claire) Markey, and sister Andrea Gori.

Joanne will be remembered for her creativity, impish sense of humor, and her empathy and concern for others. For Joanne, laughter was always the best medicine. Her squeaky kisses will be sorely missed.

Services will be held at North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church on Friday, July 19 at 3pm. Joanne loved flowers, so be sure to share them with loved ones in her name, but if you'd like to make a donation, the family requests donations be made to Helen Porter Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 30 Porter Avenue, Middlebury, VT, where she received loving care in her final days.