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Joanne Mann Halpin, 72, of Dedham and longtime resident of Sherborn, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born and raised in Franklin, Massachusetts, Joanne was the beloved daughter of the late Donald and Caryl Mann. She attended Skidmore College, where she formed long lasting friendships and developed the thoughtful, practical approach to life that would become one of her defining traits.
Joanne devoted herself to her family and was the steady force behind the life she built with her husband, Jim. She cherished her role as a stay-at-home mom, pouring her energy into raising her children with love and unwavering support. Together, she and Jim loved to entertain, opening their home to family and friends with warmth and ease, and they shared a love of travel that allowed them to create lasting memories. In later years, Joanne embraced being a grandmother with pure joy, finding great happiness in time spent with her beloved grandchildren.
She is survived by her loving husband, James Halpin, and her children: Donald “D.J.” Halpin and his wife Brooke, Ashley Karr and her husband Alden, and James Halpin Jr. and his fiancée Marisa. She was the cherished grandmother of Oliver and Hannah Karr, and Lily Halpin. Joanne is also survived by her sisters, Judy Koontz, Jeanne Nagy, and Jery Linne.
Joanne was an extremely thoughtful and deeply dedicated friend—someone who never forgot a birthday, always followed up, and could be relied on in every situation. A pragmatic planner who handled all the details, she was also the strongest woman her family knew, meeting life’s challenges with grace and determination.
She gave generously of her time through years of volunteer work in the Sherborn community. Later, alongside her husband, she helped found Shultz’s Guest House, extending her natural gift for care and hospitality to rescue thousands of dogs.
Joanne’s legacy lives on in the family she nurtured, the friendships she maintained so faithfully, and the many lives she touched through service, kindness, and steady love.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring. Details will be shared with family and friends at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joanne’s memory to pancreatic cancer research or to organizations that support mothers and families, reflecting her belief in the vital role mothers play in shaping families and communities.
