NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — It is with great sadness to announce JoAnn Thomas passed away on February 28, 2025, surrounded by her family, after a brief illness.

JoAnn was born on June 15, 1948, in North Adams to the late Victor and Celia Thomas. She attended St.Joseph’s High School, graduating with the class of 1966 and was a communicant of St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church.

Before moving out of the area she was employed by Sprague Electric and later by Berkshire Medical Center.  After relocating to California she worked in marketing for Mattel Toys for many years. Then JoAnn became a homemaker. 

She is survived by her daughter, Jenna Vella, her granddaughter, Gabrielle Vella of Union City, CA; brothers, Terry Thomas of Jacksonville, FL, Ronald Thomas of North Adams, MA and sister Teresa Davis of Adams, MA.

There will be a funeral mass at a later date.