BEVERLY – Joan B. (Little) Hersey, 80, passed away on Thursday, August 3rd, 2023 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late Herald and Margaret (Boyle) Little.

Raised and educated in Salem, Joan graduated from the former St. Mary's High School in Salem, class of 1961. After graduation she went on to work at Beverly Hospital in Housekeeping, and most recently was employed with Benchmark Senior Living at Putnam Farm in Danvers.

Joan loved spending time with family and celebrating momentous events.  She loved taking rides around Salem and recalling her childhood living on Prince Street Place and especially going to Salem Willows.

Joan is survived by her sons; Donald G. Hersey and his wife, Donna of Beverly, John T. Hersey and his wife, Diane of Lynn, and Steven J. Hersey of Beverly, along with grandchildren; Jonathan Hersey and his wife, Lauren of NH, Devin Hersey and his fiancé, Megan of Malden, and Tara Heller and her husband, Trevor of Scituate, and the newest addition, great-granddaughter Nova Heller. She is also survived by her brother, William D. Little, close friend Margaret Goodell and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Joan is preceded in death by her siblings; Margaret Bryson, John Little, and Nancy Gaudreault.

ARRANGEMENTS: Her funeral will be held from O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM, Wednesday, August 9th at 10:30 A.M. followed by her Funeral Mass to be held at the Immaculate Conception Church, 15 Hawthorne Blvd, Salem at 11 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, August 8th from 5 to 7 P.M. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Joan's memory to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-805-5856
Web: http://www.stjude.org/