Joanne Marie Curtis, of Portland, died in Portland on June 4, 2026, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, after a long illness.

Born in Dorchester, Massachusetts on April 10, 1933, she moved to Portland in 1935, and since then never lived more than a few miles from her beloved childhood neighborhood, Parkside. A photo of her on Grant Street at age nine was published in a 1942 issue of The Portland Press Herald and later became the cover photo of Howard C. Reiche Jr.’s 2002 book Closeness: Memories of Mrs. Munjoy’s Hill. Those who knew her will instantly recognize the girl with corkscrew curls and an eager smile standing next to the neighborhood organ grinder.

Joanne graduated from Portland High School in 1952. An enthusiastic athlete, she played on the basketball, volleyball, and softball teams. Friends described her as a “chatterbox,” and apparently also a fashion plate, since she took second place for “best dressed” in her senior yearbook. While it is documented that she was a member of the Glee Club, her children still remain dubious of her claim that she possessed an exceptional singing talent.

In 1955 she married Leonard James Curtis, Jr. They had six children, all of whom attended Portland area elementary and high schools. Joanne and Leonard enjoyed an active social life. Favorite pastimes were hosting large family events and doting on their growing brood of thirteen grandchildren (and later sixteen great-grandchildren). Leonard passed away in 1991. Joanne remained devoted to her husband and missed him dearly for the rest of her life.

In the ‘90s, when her youngest child was old enough to look after himself, she took a job at Porteous, Mitchell & Braun department store on Congress Street. Much of her leisure time was spent reading historical novels and mysteries—she passed many hours browsing the shelves of the Portland Public Library.

Her children Elizabeth, Regina, Leonard III (Jim), Eric, Jennifer, and Paul remember her as fiercely loyal to those she loved…and also fiercely salty at times. (Joanne would say that those on the receiving end assuredly deserved it.)

All in all, Joanne lived a full, long, and happy life, one that ended quietly and gently, surrounded by her children.

In lieu of flowers, Joanne’s family encourages donations to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House or The Foster Grandparents Program, which Joanne participated in for many years.

A Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday June 24, at 12 noon, at Brooklawn Memorial Park. All are welcome to attend.