Joanna Lois (Mockler) Hyde, 51, of Gales Ferry, passed away Sunday, February 20, 2011 at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London.
Joanna was born in on December 22, 1959 in Boston, MA, daughter to the late Colman M. Mockler and Joanna (Sperry) Mockler. She graduated from Dana Hall School in Concord, MA in 1977 and received her bachelor’s degree in studio art from Connecticut College in 1981.
Joanna’s life encompassed her three loves; her family, artwork, and God. Completely devoted to her daughter and son, Joanna worked as a teacher’s aide at Juliet W. Long Elementary School and spent countless hours volunteering at various extra-curricular programs at Ledyard High School, where students lovingly remember her for her compassion, humor, and gentle nature. She took art classes at the Mystic Art Center, and spent her free time joyfully crafting and giving designer cards to her family and friends. She enjoyed world travel, including frequent trips to Islamorada, FL, and spending sunny days reading at the beach.
She is survived by her loving husband of 24 years, Barry Charles; daughter Jennifer Lynn; son Thomas Michael, all of Gales Ferry; her mother Joanna (Sperry) Mockler; two brothers, Michael and Andrew Mockler and one sister, Emily Ryan.
A Memorial Service will be held at Groton Bible Chapel, 81 Tollgate Rd, Groton on Saturday, Feb. 26th at 11am. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Juliet W. Long Elementary School (art fund), c/o JWL School, 1854 Rte. 12, Gales Ferry CT 06335 or World Vision, School for disabled children in Aber, Northern Uganda, c/o Kimberly Doll, 23 Noroton Ave., Darien, CT 06820-5213.
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