BILLERICA: Joanne R. Chibirka, 76, died, Tuesday, February 18, 2014 in the Billerica Crossing Assisted Living Facility. She was the dear friend and companion of Robert J. Roberto.
Born on October 3, 1937 in Groveland, she was the daughter of the late Joseph H. and Anna A. (Topa) Chibirka. Joanne lived in Groveland as a young girl and was a graduate of Haverhill High School. She most recently was a resident of Medford. She was employed as an Executive Secretary for Mitre Corporation in Bedford for many years until her retirement. She had also once worked for Senator Edward Brooke for a period of time.
Joanne enjoyed shopping and was known for being well dressed. Upon retirement, Joanne and Bob chose to spend the winter months in Florida.
She is survived by one brother-in-law, William Morton, Sr.; one niece, Debbie Jordan both of Sumpter, SC; two nephews, William Morton, Jr. also of Sumpter, SC and Robert Morton of Smithsburg, MD and the Roberto Family of Burlington. She was also predeceased by her five sisters, Mildred Morton, Dorothy Gracie, Thelma Chibirka, Mary Monahan and Katherine Fronc and her brother, Joseph Chibirka, Jr.
A funeral Mass for Joanne will be celebrated on Saturday in St. Patrick’s Church, 114 Center Street in Groveland at 11 a.m. Visiting hours will be held prior to the Mass from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. in the Linnehan-Grondin Funeral Home, 129 Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment will be held in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, 395 North Broadway, Haverhill. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Joanne’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472.