Joanne Louise Barsotti, 92, passed away on September 16, 2021 in the memory care unit at Wheelock Terrace in Hanover, NH. She was born in Altoona, PA in 1929, the only daughter of Sarah and Oscar Curry. She attended Altoona High School and, upon graduation, entered the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, MD, now called the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University, where she attained a Bachelor of Music degree. At her graduation she was given an award for her outstanding musical achievement singing in numerous ensembles and performing lead roles in various operas.  Joanne's musical talent was evident at a young age and she played piano and sang in many performances and recitals even before entering the Conservatory.

Upon graduation she married Richard Lotz and they settled in Bethlehem, PA along with their two young daughters. Joanne and Richard divorced in 1965 and she later married and divorced Richard Barsotti, then of Bethlehem, PA. She was very active in the music community of the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania, giving private voice lessons and teaching voice and musical theory at Moravian College, where she was an instructor for 32 years. Joanne also taught piano and voice at the Bethlehem, PA Music Conservatory. She was a soprano soloist and choir member at Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem for many years and also sang with the Bach Choir. Joanne performed lead roles in Madame Butterfly, Die Fledermaus, and other operas with the Muhlenberg College Opera Workshop series. In addition, she sang in other churches and synagogues as a professional soloist. Joanne continued teaching private lessons well into her 80s and delighted in accompanying all her students' recitals and hosting numerous recital receptions. She was beloved by her college and private students for her devotion to them and many remained in contact with her long after she was no longer their teacher. Numerous students of hers are now professional musicians and teachers themselves, carrying on her legacy and love of music.

In addition to her considerable musical interests, Joanne loved (in no particular order) the colors pink and green, Victorian antiques and patterns, flowers and gardening, Renee Fleming, Cecilia Bartoli, reading, ice cream, bright red lipstick, and Sacher torte for special occasions. She was a fabulous cook who enjoyed researching recipes, baking bread, and making yogurt from scratch. Joanne was interested in healthy eating during the 50s and 60s, long before it became popular.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Wheelock Terrace for keeping Joanne safe during the pandemic and caring for her in her final years. We also wish to extend a very special thank you to Dr. Barbara Lazar, of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and the Bayada Hospice nurses for their professional and compassionate care of both Joanne and her family members as dementia gradually overtook Joanne's life.

There will be no calling hours and a private ceremony has been held by the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org) or to the Moravian Music Foundation (https://moravianmusic.org).