AGAWAM – JoAnne Marie (Paquette) Bovat of Agawam (formally of Westfield) passed away February 16, 2018. She was born in Westfield, MA the daughter of the late Alfred and Margaret (Cavanaugh) Paquette. JoAnne was a lifetime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Westfield. She is survived by her loving husband of 30 years Ron and her best friend, Bonnie A.M. Harrison. She leaves several cousins along with Ron’s extended family. She also leaves her “kitties” Chloe and Miley. She attended St. Mary’s Elementary and High School graduating in 1968. She was a 1970 Northampton Jr. College graduate with an Associate’s Degree in Secretarial Sciences. Upon graduation she became employed at Western New England College in the Athletic Department until her retirement in January 2016. As a long-time athletics department Office Manager, Joanne was a distinguished individual who played a prominent role in the success of Western New England athletics. She was inducted into the school’s Downes Hall of Fame on September 23, 2011. It was an honor for her many dedicated years at WNE to become an honoree into The Western New England’s Downes Athletic Hall of Fame. As a respected Office Manager, JoAnne spent 46 years guiding and encouraging thousands of young athletes while treating them with dignity and respect. She earned the respect of the entire athletics staff for being a loyal and valuable team member. In her younger years, JoAnne was an accomplished competitive roller skater at the Riverside Roller Rink “The Rollaway” in Agawam. During and after college, she enjoyed traveling with her friend Bonnie to Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut and her favorite destination Montreal, Canada. Visitation will be held Thursday from 9:00AM – 10:00AM at the TOOMEY-O’BRIEN FUNERAL HOME, 1043 Westfield Street West Springfield, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10:30AM in St. Mary’s Church 30 Bartlett St, Westfield. Burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Shriners Hospital Springfield, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or St. Mary’s Church, 30 Bartlett Street, Westfield, MA 01085.
