Joanne F. (Tamulonis) Caisse

Joanne F. Caisse

January 26, 1943 ~ March 28, 2022 (age 79)

Athol, MA —Joanne F. Caisse (nee Tamulonis) 79, of Templeton, Massachusetts, passed away on March 28, 2022 at Athol Hospital.

Joanne was born to Anne (nee Jacksta) and Joseph Tamulonis on January 26, 1943 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.  She graduated Fitchburg High School in 1961.  She lived most of her life in Athol, Massachusetts, working at Athol High School as a secretary in the Guidance Department.  It was a job she loved, and she often told the story of how she would fill out every scholarship form she could find to ensure all possible scholarship money was allocated to the kids.

She will be so missed by her children, Bryan P. Caisse and his wife Thanh Nam of Hội An, Vietnam; Steven J. Caisse and his wife Kimberly of Westminster, MA; Cheryl Arner and her husband John of Redwood City, CA.  She also leaves six grandchildren: Tyler, Trevor, Trey, Danielle, Eliza and Renée.

Joanne was an avid golfer and longtime member of both Ellinwood Country Club in Athol, MA and Templewood Golf Course in Templeton, MA.  She was an active member of the American Legion in Athol, MA.  She was very proud of her Lithuanian roots, spoke the language fluently, and enjoyed chatting with anyone who did too.  She loved to travel and managed to see quite a bit of Europe in her lifetime.  Her time with friends each year in Maine and on Cape Cod were especially important to her.   She will be missed by her card group and the various friends she would join for lunch – of which there were many.  Her time with her grandchildren was the most precious.  She was an accomplished seamstress and made her side money hemming and altering clothes.  Football season will not be the same without her commentary on the New England Patriots.

Joanne was also known for her quick wit, sense of humor, and smile.  Her friends and family will miss that the most. 

The family would like to thank everyone at Athol Hospital for the kind loving care they gave her.  Words cannot fully express our gratitude.

Calling hours with a funeral to follow will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 from 10:00 AM to Noon at Richardson Funeral Home, 106 West Street, Leominster, MA.  Please bring your smiles and favorite stories – she was adamant this would be upbeat.  Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. No flowers please.  Memorial contributions may be made to either the Athol High School Scholarship Association, or to Friends of Athol Hospital; or take a good friend to lunch.  She’d really like that. 

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