Joanne K. Weafer

Joanne K. Weafer, 89, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026, with family by her side. She was the beloved wife of the late Dr. Robert J. Weafer.

Joanne is survived by her four children: Mark Weafer and his wife Shirley of South Hamilton, MA; Karyn Stahle and her husband Jamie of Andover, MA; Tracey Krupp of West Hartford, CT; and Ellen Cohen and her husband Aaron of Avon, CT. She is also survived by her six grandchildren: Tyler Stahle and his wife Anne (Cherry Hill, NJ); James Stahle (Andover, MA); Nicholas and Samantha Cohen (Avon, CT); Sarah Cohen (Boca Raton, FL) and Griffin Krupp (West Hartford, CT).

Joanne was born in Pittsburgh in 1936, to the late Wilbur and Anne Kemmer. At the age of four she moved with her family to Braintree, MA, where she was raised. She graduated from Braintree High School in 1954. Following her lifelong passion for nursing, Joanne attended The New England Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1957.

After nursing school, Joanne began her career at The New England Deaconess Hospital, where she eventually became a head nurse on the orthopedic floor. It was there that she met her future husband, Bob. The couple married in 1962 and raised their family in Lynnfield, MA, where Joanne lived for 52 years.

In 1992 Bob passed suddenly, and despite the heartbreaking loss Joanne continued to embrace life. She loved to travel and visited six of the world’s seven continents. She was also very committed to giving back to her community. Joanne volunteered at the Museum of Science in Boston for 35 years, receiving multiple awards for her dedicated service.

One of Joanne’s happiest places was the family’s second home on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, which she and Bob purchased in 1974. She cherished being at “The Lake” and truly treasured the time spent and memories made there with her children and grandchildren.

A private service to honor Joanne and celebrate her life will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home in Wakefield, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joanne’s memory to the Museum of Science in Boston at https//mos.org.