Jo Ann Rosenthal Obituary – Portland, ME

About

Jo Ann Rosenthal, aged 85, passed away on January 12, 2025, after a life filled with joy and community spirit.

Born in Lewiston, Maine, Jo Ann was the cherished daughter of Lorenzo and Irene Fournier. She spent her formative years at the Ave Maria Academy in Sabattus, Maine, a French Catholic boarding school that left a lasting impact on her educational and personal development. Later, she shone at St. Dominic’s High School, where she proudly cheered on her team as they clinched the state hockey championship four consecutive years and competed for the New England titles in Providence, Rhode Island.

Those were the days of bobby socks and saddle shoes, petticoats, and the jitterbug dance—Jo Ann embraced every moment with open arms.

Jo Ann’s family life was vibrant and bustling, with joyful and spirited gatherings of the extensive Fournier family. Her aunts, uncles, and cousins came together, especially memorable during Christmas Eve celebrations. Following Midnight Mass, the family’s French Reveillon traditions extended their festivities into the early morning. Jo Ann’s piano playing became the soundtrack to these gatherings as everyone sang along, closing with her affectionate nod to her mother, “Goodnight, Irene.”