Jo-Ann M. (Donovan) Birdsall, age 75, a lifelong resident of Brockton, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at St. Joseph Manor Health Care, surrounded by her loving family. She was the devoted wife of the late Stephen M. Birdsall. Born and raised in Brockton, she was the daughter of the late George L. and Mary P. (Nowell) Donovan.
She was a graduate of Cardinal Spellman High School, Class of 1968, and Bridgewater State University, earning both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree.
Jo-Ann taught first grade and kindergarten in the Brockton Public School System for over thirty years, retiring in 2004. She was a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and Brockton Education Association. She was loved by her students and their parents, many of whom requested that all of their children be placed in her classroom.
Some of her interests included reading, story writing, music, gardening, cooking and baking bread. She is survived by her siblings, Mary Ellen Paris (late husband David) of Halifax, Deborah Pullia (late husband Salvatore) of Brockton, Patricia Mac Kinnon and her husband Hugh of Bridgewater and Nancy Kerrigan and her husband Paul of Hanson, her aunt Alice Ashmore of West Yarmouth and Estero Florida, her sister-in-law Janis Krechter of Encinitas, California, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was the loving mother of the late Eric M. Birdsall and the late Jenna L. Birdsall, and was predeceased by her sister-in-law Christy Brewer.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to the nurses and staff at St. Joseph’s Manor for the loving care she received.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, at the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street Brockton. The funeral procession will gather at the funeral home on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 9:30 AM, for a funeral mass at 10:30 AM, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 433 West Street, Brockton. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, N. Cary Street, Brockton.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the Donovan-Sheehan Family Scholarship Fund, c/o Cardinal Spellman High School, 738 Court St., Brockton MA 02302 or to the American Stroke Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.