JoAnna Saleski

JoAnna Saleski, 79, who lived on Main Street in New Ipswich, died on June 14, 2008 at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Jaffrey.Born in Saranac Lake, N.Y., she was the daughter of Roy and Eva Sargent. She lived and worked in upstate New York for many years before relocating to Connecticut.In 1959, she married Peter J. Saleski, a U.S. Army veteran and employee of General Motors. The couple lived in Connecticut, Florida, and Maine before settling in southern New Hampshire in the mid-1980's. JoAnna and Peter moved in with son Mark and his wife Linda (of Merrimack) in 2000. The newly-formed extended family moved to New Ipswich in 2004.Throughout her life, JoAnna was known for the great compassion and concern radiated toward each friend and family member. If a person found themselves in any sort of difficulty (health-related or otherwise), she was the first to pick up the phone to lend support. She loved listening to music, baking cookies, playing cards, crocheting, taking trips to the ocean, and watching old movies. She is survived by her husband of 49 years Peter of New Ipswich; son Mark and his wife Linda of New Ipswich; daughter Lynn Montgomery of New York City; granddaughter Melyssa Montgomery and her fiance Carl of Bushkill, PA; great-grandsons Eric Jr. and Jacob Nicolai of Elyria, OH whose father, JoAnna's grandson Eric Nicolai, passed away in 2003; grandson Peter Slusarz of New Boston; grandson John Slusarz and his fiance Kelsey of Brookline, MA; many nieces and nephews; dear friend Eleanor Hillburn of Meriden, CT; and Rafiki, the world's best cocker spaniel.

Memorial donations may be made to either Good Shepherd Nursing Home, 20 Plantation Dr., Jaffrey, NH 03452; or the Antrim Girls Shelter, P.O. Box 531, Antrim, NH 03440.

At JoAnnas request, there will be no calling hours or formal funeral services at this time.  However, the family will host the First Annual JoAnna Saleski BBQ and Appreciation Social at their home at a later date.