SANDWICH --- Joanne Phillips, 71, passed away unexpectedly at Concord Hospital-Laconia on Sunday, February 8 after suffering a fall at her home in Sandwich.

Joanne was born in Everett, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Mary and Robert Kelly, and raised in Saugus, Massachusetts. She graduated from Saugus High School and the Northeast Regional Metropolitan Vocational Technical School in Wakefield, Massachusetts where she qualified as a Certified Operating Room Technician. She went to work immediately in the operating room at Massachusetts General Hospital. Joanne later attended Nursing School at New England Baptist Hospital, where she became a Registered Nurse.

Everyone loved Joanne and she loved her friends, nursing colleagues and family. Joanne could strike up a friendly conversation with anyone she met. Joanne took care of people, whether in her capacity as a nurse or as a friend or neighbor. Joanne loved her home in Sandwich with its view of the mountains. She liked to listen to birdsongs. Joanne took great pride in her work at Massachusetts General Hospital, where coworkers considered her a legend. Among many nice complements Joanne received one of her colleagues stated "Joanne was a real treasure. Her knowledge was unlimited. Her humor is what I will miss most about her. Joanne, you were loved and respected then, now and always." Another stated "No matter how badly your day was going, you could always count on Mrs. Phillips to find humor in the situation. She was one of the OR's "legendary personalities." One more stated "She was the best and so fun to work with!! I have many memories of her escapades!!" Joanne loved her life.

Joanne is survived by her husband Fred, with whom she recently celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary. Her brother Dennis, his wife Dulce and their children, Colette, Yvonne, Charlotte, and Nolan, and her brother Michael also survive her. In addition, she leaves her sisters Maureen and Julie, their husbands, Bob Woods and David Goldstein and their children. Joanne also leaves her brothers and sisters in law Bob and Cheryl Phillips and their children Tyler, Ross and Jocelyn, as well as Tom and Alice Check and their children Candice, Aubree, and Nolan.

A graveside service will be held on May 9 at Vittum Hill Cemetery, Vittum Hill Road, in Sandwich, New Hampshire at noon. It will be followed by a reception at Joanne's home at 132 Partridge Hill Road in Sandwich. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Church of Sandwich, P.O. Box 267, Sandwich, NH 03227 or the Lakes Region Food Pantry and Thrift Shop, 977 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, NH 03254