Mother Joanna Alexander

RICHFORD – Mother Joanna (Catherine Elisabeth Marie), age 87, died on Sunday, February 6, 2022, at the St. Albans Health and Rehab Center.

Born Elizabeth May Alexander in Schenectady, New York, Mother Joanna was the daughter of John Robert and Helen Alexander. She was, since 1993, for the past 29 years, a nun of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church at the Monastery of the Most Holy Mother of God, “Joy of All Who Sorrow”, in Richford, Vermont. Previous to that time, she had raised a family and served as an Episcopal church musician and organizational worker, especially in the area of retreats and conferences. She was a 1991 graduate of Burlington College.

Survivors include other members of the Community of Holy Wisdom; Father Lazarus (Goodwin), and Father Joseph (Randall) of St. Nectarios Monastery, also in Richford. She is survived by the following family members, daughter, Holly Walters and her husband Nagamasa Takami of Lyon, France; son, Glenn Walters and his wife Linda of Durham, NC; son, Thomas Walters of Durham, NC; grandchildren, Kei Takami, Grace Elizabeth Walters, and Mary Rose Walters; brother, William Alexander of Sterling Heights, Michigan; sister-in-law, Marilyn Wehrle of Hollis, New Hampshire; several nephews and nieces; and great nephews and nieces.  In addition to her parents, Mother Joanna was predeceased by her grandson, Len Takami. 

Orthodox funeral rites were held at the Monastery Chapel, 162 River Street, Richford on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 with interment following in the All Saints Cemetery in Richford.

For those who wish contributions in Mother Joanna’s memory may be made to the Community of the Holy Wisdom, 162 River Street, Richford, VT 05476 or to the children’s programs of the A. A. Brown Public Library, 88 Main Street, Richford, VT 05476.

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