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In memory of
JoAnn Catherine Morse
June 26, 1938 - July 4, 2019
Jun 26, 1938 - Jul 4, 2019
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JoAnn's obituary
surrounded by the love of her daughters at the age of 81 from complications due to heart failure.
JoAnn was born in Queens, NY in June of 1938 to Walter and Marion (Genzale) McNamara.
Her father, Walter, was the Director of Special Services for the Long Island Railroad during the
heyday of the Cannonball luxury parlor car service in the 1960’s and 70’s which brought
weekenders out to enjoy the Hamptons.
JoAnn attended Sacred Heart High School in Bayside, NY where she grew up. She graduated
from Tufts University with a degree in Psychology in 1960. She then went on to earn a Master’s
Degree in Education from The College of New Jersey. She enjoyed a long career with the
Neshaminy School District in Langhorne, Pennsylvania as a High School Special Education
Teacher. She was beloved by her students and colleagues until she retired in 2000.
JoAnn met the love of her life, Ralph H. Morse Jr. at Tufts, and they were married for thirty six
years before he passed away in 1996. She will be greatly missed by her two daughters,
Carolyn Pierse (John) of Manhattan, NY and their children Jacqueline and Nicholas and her
daughter Kathryn Maguire (Thomas) and their children Meredith and Devon of New Hope, PA.
Affectionately known as “Grammy”, she was the light of all of their lives.
JoAnn’s home in Montauk was her most favorite place in the world. She loved cooking, gardening and
planting beautiful flowers on her property overlooking Lake Montauk. She was a member of the
Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons and greatly enjoyed their events and activities over the
years. The family would like to thank the Montauk Fire and Rescue Department for their kind
and caring efforts.
A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at St. Therese of Lisieux Church in Montauk
where she had participated as a Lay Eucharistic Minister. The service is scheduled for July
20th, 2019 at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Horticultural
Alliance of the Hamptons at PO Box 202, Bridgehampton, NY, 11932.
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Remembering a very kind and gracious woman. On our trip to Montauk one year, she invited us to her home to show us arou…
Remembering a very kind and gracious woman. On our trip to Montauk one year, she invited us to her …
Remembering a very kind and gracious woman. On our trip to Monta…
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