The world lost the kindest soul on June 26, 2022 when Joanne M. Barrett, age 79, passed away peacefully. Joanne leaves behind her loving children Mary (Tim) Kirby, Patrick and Julia; beloved grandchildren Jane, William and Margaret; caring longtime partner David Mazur; fond nephews Barrett (Kathleen) O’Donovan; Colin (Joan) O’Donovan and niece Moira (Brent) Warnement; loving Goddaughter Laura (Michael) Cronin and countless dear friends and relatives. She is reunited in heaven with her parents John and Helen Doyle and husband John “Jack.” Joanne graduated from St. Patrick High School for Girls and went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University and a master’s degree from National Louis University. She spent 40+ years teaching, mostly at Pennoyer Elementary School in Norridge and touched many young lives along the way. Though she was a proud lifetime resident of Chicago, she spent many years travelling the world and exploring different cultures. Trips to Europe, Australia and Delavan, Wisconsin are just a few of the many locations Joanne enjoyed visiting with her family and close friends. She also spent many happy summers travelling the United States in an RV with her family. Joanne donated to both her time and money to countless charities throughout her life and leaves behind a legacy of selflessness and kindness that her family will do their best to preserve. No funeral services are planned though the family will have a gathering later this summer to commemorate what would have been her 80th birthday. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity, particularly those that benefit children, women or animals. Some of Joanne’s favorite charities include: Quincy K-9 Connection (https://www.qk9c.org/donate.html); Chicago Children’s Charities (http://www.chicagochildrenscharities.org/donate-online); Camfed (The Campaign for Female Education https://camfed.org/us/donate/); Room to Read (https://www.roomtoread.org); Healing Hearts Donkey Shelter and Rescue (https://hhdonkey.org/); and the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary (https://www.ironwoodpigs.org/donate).