WESTFIELD – Joanne Beverly (Violante) Tirrell, 82, of Westfield, MA passed away peacefully on Monday, March 23rd, 2026, with family at her bedside at Baystate Medical Center. Joanne was born March 31st, 1943, to the late Nicholas L. and Antinena Violante. She grew up in Westfield and attended Westfield Schools, graduating from Westfield High School as part of the class of 1960. She worked for many years at Old Colony Envelope Company, City Hall and later for 28 years at Barnes Municipal Airport, retiring at the age of 71.
More recently, she served multiple terms as a member and Secretary of the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities, a role in which she took great pride. She was a talented crocheter, in earlier years, an avid golfer, always enjoyed visiting a casino and always loved a good card game. She was a member of the Sons of Erin Women’s Auxiliary, the Southwick American Legion Post 338, the West Springfield Fish and Game Club and the Italian Fraternal Club of Westfield. Joanne made friends everywhere she went and up until the last few months, had minimal holes in her social calendar. Regardless of how busy she was, she always prioritized family, family events, vacations and spending time with the people she loved.
She leaves behind her two sons, Nicholas Della Giustina and his wife Heather of Lake Forest Park, Washington, Michael Tirrell and his wife Erinn of Westfield, MA and, four grandchildren, Anthony, Moira, David and Margaret, two sisters, Mary Guistimbelli and her husband Robert of Agawam, MA and Susan Kellogg and her husband Chet of Worthington, MA, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, god children, brothers and sisters-in-law and many dear friends.
She was predeceased by her husband, David C. Tirrell in 2008.
Calling hours for Joanne will be held on Tuesday, April 7th, 2026, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Firtion-Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, MA. Funeral Services will be at 9:00 a.m. from Firtion-Adams on Wednesday, April 8th, 2026, with a Mass to be held at St. Mary’s Parish in Westfield at 10:00 a.m. A brief graveside service will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery on Southampton Road in Westfield. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to Angel Flight NE, 492 Sutton Street, N. Andover, MA 01845. Firtionadams.com
