Joanne F. Gormley

Joanne F. (Bent) Gormley, age 68, passed away peacefully in her Walpole, Massachusetts home on Sunday, September 4, 2016, surrounded by her loving family. Born in New York City on October 24, 1947, she was the daughter of Henry F. and Irene (Oldham) Bent. She was raised in Ashtabula and graduated from the Harbor High School with the Class of 1965, where she loved performing with the Majorettes. She continued her education at the University of Georgia, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications. Joanne worked her way to Boston, where she began her career in human resources in 1978 with the Dynatech R/D Company in Cambridge.

Shortly after moving to Boston, Joanne met her soon to be husband, Walter L. Gormley, and they were married on December 29, 1979 in Nantucket, where she returned often. They made their home in Walpole, Massachusetts and welcomed their son, Lucas, a few years later.

Joanne left Dynatech in 1985, spending a year as an independent Human Resources Consultant, before taking a position with R.D. Gatti & Associates in Medfield. Her career continued to flourish, taking a position with Sarnafil, Inc. in Canton in 1988 and with Carlo Gavazzi Inc. in Brockton in 1995. Her love for the Arts led her to her next position as the Human Resources Manager of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, where she worked from 1997 to 2000. She left the museum to take the Human Resources Manager position with ADE in Westwood, before becoming the Director of Human Resources at New England Research Insitutes (NERI) in Watertown in 2003.

Joanne enjoyed staying active in community affairs in her hometown of Walpole, especially those which surrounded education. She served on the Executive Committee of the Walpole Scholarship Foundation and was a past President. As an admirer of art, Joanne was a part of the Docent for The Art Appreciation Program in the Walpole Elementary Schools. She enjoyed bringing arts to the students, encouraging them to discuss what they saw in the various paintings.

As an avid tennis player, Joanne was a very active member of Wimbledon 109 Tennis Club for many years. She enjoyed participating in the Central Massachusetts Indoor Tennis League and the United States Tennis Association Local Leagues. Further contributing by frequently and competently holding a Captain's position, she became a widely known and very respected competitor among the local and greater Boston ladies' tennis scenes. Her enthusiastic love of tennis led her to many endearing and close personal friendships, she will be sorely missed on and off the courts.

In addition to her love of playing tennis and spending time outdoors, Joanne was an avid reader, belonging to a local book club and spending hours discussing their latest novel. She also enjoyed knitting, creating beautiful works of art that she could share with others.

Beloved wife of Walter L. Gormley.
Loving mother of Lucas W. Gormley and his fiancé Laura Zanowski of Norwood.
Cherished grandmother of Gavin and Joslin Gormley.
Sister of Meredith Miskowich and her husband Don of Ashtabula, OH, Christine Dortona and her husband Victor of Hampton Bays, NY, Bruce Bent and his wife Judy of Springfield, MA, Carol Shoop and her husband Richard of Hudson, OH, Susan Lattin and her husband Tom of Bridgeport, CT, Duncan Bent and his wife Michaline of Willoughby, OH, Tim Bent and his wife Jennifer of Brentwood, TN, and Candace Griffiths and her husband Mike of Andover, OH.
Devoted aunt to many loving nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Joanne's Life Celebration on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 from 4-8 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. Funeral service and interment will be private at the request of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Walpole Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 58, East Walpole, MA 02032.