Joanne M. Coolen

Joanne M. Coolen, 63, of Hershey, PA, died peacefully on Monday, April 4, 2016, in the M.S. Hershey Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family. 

Joanne was born October 17, 1952, in North Kingstown, RI. She was the eldest daughter of the late Frederic C. and Rose (Warner) Coolen, and is survived by her sister Joyce Coolen of Phoenix, AZ, and her brother Harry Coolen and his wife Anita, of Scottsdale, AZ, as well as one aunt and numerous cousins in MA. She was preceded in death by her longtime companion Larry Reed.

Joanne graduated from Arch Bishop Williams High School in 1970. She received a BS in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, an MS in Public Health Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Joanne was an Independent Financial Consultant associated with LPL Financial since 1998. She served numerous clients from multiple states. As a financial planner, she had her Series 7 registration and held a Pennsylvania insurance license.

Joanne’s first career began as an Administrative Resident for the Hospital and Healthsystem of Pennsylvania in 1980, where she rose to become the first female Senior Vice President. She oversaw strategic planning for the organization and public policy development for its hospital members. She was also responsible for annual budget negotiations with the Commonwealth of PA as it related to Medicaid payments to health care providers with responsibilities for planning and regulatory issues. She was also the consumer member of the PA Osteopathic Medical Board.

Joanne enjoyed playing golf, was an avid reader, did needlework, created Christmas Villages, played and visited casinos with her sister and her friends. Her love of travel took her to England, Greece, Africa, Peru, New Zealand, Alaska, and the Panama Canal. Her travel companions were a group of women who met once a month for dinner over the last 20 years. She was gracious, engaging, and enjoyed being a big “Sis” to the children of her closest friends. She was beloved by her many friends and colleagues, who will miss her quick wit and intellectual discussions. 

There will be a viewing at the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St. in Quincy on Sunday, April 10, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM with a celebration of life at 5:00 PM. Graveside services will be held Thursday, April 14 at 4 PM in Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio St. Suite 304, Chicago, IL 60611.