Joanne Gertrude (Bailey) Putnam-Morgan, 89, Former Employee of WHAV and NECC

Joanne Gertrude (Bailey) Putnam-Morgan, 89, of Haverhill, died Tuesday, March 20, at Wingate at Haverhill.

Joanne was born July 11, 1928, in Saugus, MA, to Roy Willard and Ruth Elizabeth (Eastman) Bailey.

She started her schooling at the Batchelder School in Lynn, MA. Joanne graduated in 1946 from Sanborn Seminary, Kingston, N.H.

In January of 1949, she became engaged to Ed Marshall Putnam, II, of Haverhill, and on June 19, became his bride in the First Baptist Church, Newton, N.H., with an outdoor reception at the “Larches”- the name of her parents home. To this union four sons were born: Ed M. Putnam III; Jeffrey L. Putnam; Dale G. Putnam; and Philippe W. Putnam.

A breast cancer survivor for over 20 years, she had a goal to travel and visit every state. At last count she completed this task, including the Caribbean, Canada and many countries in Europe. Some trips include; President George W. Bush’s inauguration (#43); dedication of the World War II Memorial. She loved to play cards and games and enjoyed trips to Foxwoods- always meeting new people.

She started her working career at Woolworth’s in Haverhill. In 1946 she worked as a telephone operator for the New England Tel and Tel Company, in Haverhill. She was a secretary at the former WHAV in Haverhill; secretary at NECCO under the direction of Dean Peroni and Carlton Beal in continuing education; secretary in the office of James Baker, CPA. After her children grew up she worked for Sears & Roebuck in Methuen and Salem, N.H., where she met her second husband, John William Morgan.

Joanne is a member of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc; Walnut Square Tower Clock Foundation; Bethany Bowlers; United Grace Methodist Church; Gems bowling league at the Pilgrim Lanes, Haverhill; Daughters of the Nile; Red Hatters of Merrimack, MA; National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare; A.A.R.P.; Senior Citizens of Merrimac, Groveland and Haverhill; Breast Cancer Society.

Joanne was a former member of; First Baptist Church, Newton, NH; Sunday School teacher at the First Baptist Church, Haverhill; Past Matron of Order of Eastern Star- Fidelity Chapter; Past Grand Deputy Marshall of the Order of Eastern Star- State of Massachusetts; Past High Priestess of White Shrine of Jerusalem No.1 of Haverhill; Past President of “Forget me nots” of the Shriners in Wilmington, MA; Past President of Grand Centennials of the Grand Chapter, O.E.S.- State of Massachusetts; Past Secretary of Mary Martha of the First Baptist Church, Haverhill; Officer of Ellipse Grange, Newton, NH.; Grace United Methodist Church for over 50 years, and finally a charter member of the World War II Memorial, Washington, DC.

Predeceased by her parents, her first husband Ed M. Putnam II and her second husband John W. Morgan, her son Ed M. Putnam III, a sister Nancy Ruth Cloutman a brother, Parker Bailey, brothers-in-law Ralph E. Roberts and John R. Cloutman.

Survivors include sons; Jeffrey L. Putnam of Hampton, NH, Dale G. Putnam and his wife Gale of Newton, NH, Philippe W. Putnam of Haverhill, stepchildren John P. Morgan, Carol Mosher, Robin Dade, Debra Parker, a sister, Marcia Roberts of Brentwood, NH, four grandchildren, numerous step grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews from Texas to New Hampshire.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend her calling hours on Sunday afternoon, March 25 from 2:00 to 5:00 at the H.L. Farmer and Sons Funeral Home, 106 Summer St. Haverhill. Her Funeral Service will follow the calling hours at 5:15 at the funeral home. Interment in the spring will be in Union Cemetery, Newton NH. In lieu of flowers, Joanne has requested that donations be made to the ASPCA or your local Humane Society. Also, Joanne has requested not to wear black as her wish was to celebrate her life; and sparklers be held at Union Cemetery.

To share a memory or for more information, please visit www.farmerfuneralhomes.com