JOANNE MARIE PUHALSKI,

80, a resident of Little Rock, passed away at home on February 1, 2023. She was born August 1, 1942, in Guttenberg, N.J., to the late Madeline and Joseph Saltamach.

Joanne is survived by her husband Dennis; two daughters, Lori Vandergrift (Brad), Christine Reedy; son, Donald Puhalski (Freddi); and four grandchildren, Jared Reedy, Bethanie Davidson (Carter), Spencer Vandergrift, and Logan Vandergrift (Dena).

Joanne graduated from Holy Angels Academy, Fort Lee, N.J. She then pursued a business career graduating from Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School. Her love and compassion for people led her to a nursing career after graduating from Araphahoe Community College in Denver, Colo., with an Associate Nursing Degree. She continued her nursing passion graduating from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences with a Nurse Practitioner degree.

Joanne worked until retirement for Baptist Hospital, Little Rock, Ark. She utilized her education and love of people to work in several areas including ER, Intensive Care, and Floor Nursing. She ended her career as manager of the GI Lab.

She was a member of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church where she was active in the Alter Society. For several years, Joanne opened her home to lead weekly spiritual study groups. These are particularly remembered for their love, sharing and learning.

Joanne loved her past and present families. She loved to tell stories of her WWII Navy dad, his banjo playing, music publishing, and poem writings. In the present she loved her grandchildren making time to participate in all their activities. Grandma was always there to cheer them on.

Visitation will be held at 5 p.m. Friday, February 10, 2023, at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Little Rock. A Rosary will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, February 10, 2023, at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church. A mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, February 13, 2023, at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church with a burial following at Pinecrest Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donation be made to the Arkansas Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org/arkansas