Joanne Marie (Kelly) Adduci

Joanne Marie (Kelly) Adduci, of Hull, formerly of Dorchester, died peacefully at her home on Adduci Way, Friday, August 13, 2021. She was 86.

She was the daughter of the late John of Roscommon, Ireland and Mary (McLaughlin) Kelly, Malin Head, Donegal, Ireland.  Joanne was raised in Dorchester and graduated from Cardinal Cushing High School with the Class of 1953.

Joanne’s professional career was vast and accomplished.  She held many prominent positions in and for the City of Boston, as well as The State of Massachusetts.  These included Gillette, City of Boston Auditing Department, Mayor’s Office of Capital Planning, under Mayors White, Flynn and Menino and The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. While employed she helped plan, fund and financially account for Special Improvement Projects.  Joanne’s Financial Manager roles earned her numerous awards and recognition at many public buildings, schools and roads throughout the City of Boston, including Boston City Hospital, Boston Police Head Quarters, Boston’s Holocaust Memorial, The Rose Kennedy Green Way, City Hall and her favorite, The Big Dig. She was also awarded The Henry L. Shattuck award for outstanding public service. Joanne was an elected member of the Town of Hull’s Planning Board and passionate about local development. She cherished living in Hull and taking the commuter boat every day to Boston a city she loved, worked hard for and was always proud of her contributions. Her dedication to a better Boston and Hull spanned more then 35 years. She was a true trail blazer for working women and their rights. At the opening of the Ted Williams Tunnel, (as reported by The Boston Globe) Joanne was honored as the only female manager alongside five male managers in an article titled, “People who built it, And the managers”.

In Joanne’s spare time, she enjoyed going to the beach, boating, reading, cooking, sewing and her family more than anything. As a hobby she earned a Certificate in Oenology, the study of wine from Harvard.

Joanne was the mainstay of her family and proud of her Irish heritage. She was dedicated to helping others, strong willed and fierce. Her life lessons and example are part of her legacy that continue through her family. She will be missed by all the lives she touched.

Joanne was the beloved wife of the late Robert J. Adduci, Sr., who died in 2014. The two married on November 11, 1954, at St. Peter’s Church in Dorchester. Together they shared 60 loving years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Robert J. Adduci, Jr. and his wife Julie Ann of Scituate, John V. Adduci and his wife Deborah of Charlestown, and Jill A. Connolly and her husband Brian of Quincy. Joanne was the loving grandmother of Nicole Adduci of Brooklyn, New York, Caroline and Jack Adduci, both of Charlestown, Martin, Ella and Grace Connolly, all of Quincy. The dear sister of Marylou Henkin of St. Augustine, Florida, Joanne was preceded in death by her siblings: Eileen Dumouchel, John Kelly, and Brian Kelly. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and amazing, compassionate caregivers Karen Dolan and Karen Mitchell both of Hull.

Following cremation, funeral services and interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in Joanne’s name to Norwell Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice, 120 Longwater Drive, Norwell, MA 02061.