JoAnne Kirk Henry, 76, of Lake Monticello, Va. died on January 18, 2022 at her home.
Born July 3, 1945 in Providence, RI, she was the first child of George and Josephine (Morley) Kirk. She was preceded in death by both her parents.
JoAnne was educated in the Catholic schools of Long Island, N.Y. finishing with the RN from St. John’s Queens Hospital. Later she completed the BS in Nursing from the University of Virginia, a Master’s in Nursing from New York University and a Doctorate also from UVa. Finally, she earned the Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina.
The majority of JoAnne’s professional career was as Professor and sometime Dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing. During that time, she was the Director of the VCU Office of Health Policy as well as Founding President of the Virginia Partnership for Nursing. She was presented VCU’s Distinguished Service Award and the Presidential Medallion.
In the Greater Richmond community, JoAnne was President of the Board of Directors of The Daily Planet, the Founding Director of the Central Virginia Nurse Leadership Institute and Chair of the Board of Trustees of St. Joseph’s Villa.
Finally, JoAnne retired as Professor Emerita and moved to Lake Monticello where she continued to pursue her two favorite past-times: traveling with family and gardening with friends.
JoAnne is survived by her husband of 51+ years, James Slater Henry of Lake Monticello, Va.; her two sons, Jason Slater Henry and Joseph Kirk Henry (Catherine) and her two grandchildren, Bridget Michael Henry and Patrick Kirk Henry all of Richmond, Va.; and a set of superb sisters: Donna McCarthy (Patrick) and Reginia Kirk both of Lake Monticello, Va., Loretta Yeamans (John) and her family of Long Island, N.Y., and Mary Ellen Kirk-Jasinskas (Al) and Suzanne Kirk both of Richmond, Va.
A special Thank You to the superb sisters whose sacrifice, caring, support and love were unsurpassed during this difficult time.
Pursuant to her wishes, JoAnne will be cremated. There will be a Funeral Mass for the family at Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church, Palmyra, Va. That service will be held at a later date. Interment will be at The University of Virginia Cemetery and will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to St. Joseph’s Villa of Richmond, Va. online at https://www.neverstopbelieving.org/donate/.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hillandwood.com.