East Wakefield, NH

Joanne H. McDowell, age 75, of Scribner Hill Road in East Wakefield, died August 25, 2018, peacefully at home.

Born June 3, 1943 in Ipswich, Massachusetts, a daughter of Joseph Blunda and Hilda May (Brockelbank) Blunda Gill, she was raised in Ipswich, a graduate of Ipswich High School. Joanne earned a Bachelor's Degree at Northeastern University.

Prior to retirement, she was employed as a Microbiologist at Hale Hospital in Haverhill, MA. She raised her children with her first husband William R. Descoteaux in Plaistow, NH. Joanne resided in Lastingham, York, England for 23 years with her late husband George Q. McDowell.

Joanne was an artist, of oil paintings, water colors and pastels, exhibiting her work at shows. She enjoyed doing doll house miniatures and loved gardening.

Survived by her daughter: Diane and husband Andrew O'Neil and her grandson A.J. O'Neil, her son: William R. Descoteaux, Jr. and her grandchildren: Alexander and Kaylie Descoteaux, her sister Mary Jane Blunda, her brother Stephen Blunda, a stepbrother Douglas Pike, also several nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday September 8, 2018, 12pm (noon time) at the First Congregational Church of Wakefield, 2718 Wakefield Rd, Sanbornville, NH 03872.

If desired, memorial donations may be made in her memory to: Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Cremation care by Peaslee Funeral Home.