Remembering JoAnn McGrath: A Beacon of Generosity and Love
JoAnn McGrath, whose heart and actions shaped a legacy of generosity and compassion, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2024, surrounded by her loving family in Palm Desert, California, just days after celebrating her 89th birthday.
Born in Madison, Wisconsin on February 15, 1935, JoAnn’s journey from the Midwest to the East and West coasts became a testament to her unwavering spirit of giving and kindness. She is a proud alumna of Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she earned her nursing degree in 1957. After marrying David McGrath, they settled in Boston, where they raised five children. JoAnn played an integral role supporting David in the founding of TAD Resources International, Inc., a temporary staffing company that grew into a network of more than 300 offices.
Their entrepreneurial success was matched by their philanthropic vision, leading to the establishment of the Highland Street Foundation in 1989. The Foundation dedicates itself to enriching the lives of children and families in Massachusetts and California.
The sudden loss of David in 1995 turned a page in JoAnn’s life, yet her resolve to make a difference only grew stronger. The sale of TAD to Adecco allowed the Highland Street Foundation to amplify its mission, ultimately channeling more than $260 million into numerous charitable causes across education, healthcare, housing, youth services, environmental conservation and the arts.
JoAnn’s quiet humility belied the scale of her impact, with her support reaching institutions like the Archdiocese of Boston, the Eisenhower Health Foundation, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Foundation, the Urban Catholic Teachers Corps, the McCallum
Theatre, Alverno College, the Catholic Schools Foundation, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Boston University, Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, the Palm Springs Art Museum, MIT, Saint Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Appalachian Mountain Club and many more.
Her philosophy was simple: fortune was a gift to be shared and she lived by the creed that everyone deserves the opportunity for a fulfilling life.
JoAnn’s memory is cherished not only for her contributions to society but also for her warmth, resilience, humor and unwavering kindness. Though her daily presence will be profoundly missed, her legacy lives on through the continued work of the Highland Street Foundation and the lives of her family.
She is survived by her five children, David J. McGrath, III of Andover, MA and Palm Desert, CA, Scott J. McGrath and his wife, Rebecca of Newton, Holly L. McGrath of Boston and La Jolla,
CA, Christopher R. McGrath of Natick, MA and Sean P. McGrath and his wife, Leslie of Boston, MA and Palm Desert, CA. In addition, she leaves her ten grandchildren, Matthew, Timothy, Patrick, Peter, Andrew, Benjamin, Hannah, David, IV, James, Kevin; and her two great-grandchildren, Vivienne and Henry.
A Service in JoAnn’s honor will be held at 11 am, on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, 1400 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118. JoAnn McGrath’s life reminds us all of the enduring power of kindness and the ripple effect of a single, generous heart.