Joanne Mary (Showlskis) Thornhill, 85

Joanne Mary (Showlskis) Thornhill, age 85, of Franklin, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on August 4th, following a brief illness.

She was born in Milford, MA on February 22, 1937. She was the daughter of the late John and Ann (Rumpski) Showlskis.

She was the wife of the late Edward (Ed) Thornhill for 42 years, raised their three children in Bellingham and moved to Franklin 25 years ago to start chapter two of their lives.

The oldest of seven children, Joanne, fondly referred to as “JoJo”, grew up in Boston and spent summers at her grandparent’s farm in Franklin. She was a country girl at heart, married and settled into Franklin at the tender age of 17.

She is survived by her daughter Lauretta and her husband Michael Taddeo of Franklin, her son Edward Thornhill, Jr. and his wife Jennifer of Covington, LA and her youngest daughter Kimberly and her husband Robert Troupe of Littleton, NH. She was blessed with 7 grandchildren, and 9 great grand children. She is also survived by her 2 “beloved” tuxedo cats William “Billy” and Daisy.

JoJo was a very multifaceted woman. Over the years she enjoyed snowmobiling, fishing, camping and gardening. She was extremely talented, winning a gold key for her artwork at the “School of the Museum of Fine Arts” in Boston. She taught ceramic classes for several years from her home in Bellingham. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, making jewelry, painting, cooking and baking.

She valued her independence and made that perfectly clear to her family. Her illness was brief, which enabled her to maintain her independence and to do all that she loved.

A private interment at Union Street Cemetery, Franklin will be held.

Donations to MSPCA, 350 South Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130.

The Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. is honored to assist the Thornhill family.