HENNIKER, NH:  Joanne S. Houghton, 52, of Henniker, NH passed away peacefully with her family by her side on October 20, 2017 at U Mass Memorial in Worcester, MA after a three month battle with her health. 

Joanne graduated from Cogswell Memorial High School in Henniker NH and spent most of her career working at Yankee Book Peddler in Contoocook.  After leaving there, she did the schooling to become a medical transcriptionist and worked in that field for the past 5 years for RI Transcription Solutions. 

Joanne was extremely talented at cross stitching and shared her art with many.  She had a heart of gold and could never turn away stray cats or new abandoned kittens and would care for them and find them forever homes.

 Joanne was a member of a large blended family.  She leaves behind her father, James Houghton, Sr. and his wife Cheryl, her mother, Judy Archambault and her partner Frank, sisters, Jane Thayer and Diane Chaski, brothers, James Houghton, Jr., Kevin Lawrence, Jeff Lawrence and Gary Lawrence.  She was predeceased by brothers, Brian Lawrence and Timothy Lawrence.  She also leaves behind many aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, brother and sister in-laws and friends.

A graveside service will be held on November 5, 2017 at 2:00 pm at the Henniker New Cemetery.

The Holt-Woodbury Funeral Home & Cremation Service is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Henniker Rescue Squad, 216 Maple Street, Henniker, NH.  Her father helped establish that rescue squad and over the years they have helped her in her times of need.