NEWPORT, NH — Joanne Marie Stone, 80, a beloved wife, mother, Nana and great Nana, passed on March 16, 2025 at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, NH.
She was born on October 15, 1944 in Newport the daughter of Paul R. Gosselin and Catherine DeCato Gosselin.
Joanne attended local schools and was a graduate of Towle High School.
She married Stuart C. Stone and shared 53 years together, working side by side running the family business, Stone’s Auto Body Towing and Recovery Service in Newport, NH. Joanne handled the administrative end of the business from the get-go – bookkeeping, accounting and advertising.
For over 40 years, Joanne has served as the executive administrator for New Hampshire Towing Association. She would go the extra mile, touring the state and preaching the gospel of NHTA and selling memberships. For years she answered the telephone calls, created monthly newsletters, handled record keeping, organizing training events and planned tow shows. Joanne poured her heart into the association treating it as a passion, not a job.
First and foremost was her devotion to her husband and family, she loved having family and friends by for their annual Christmas Eve celebration. Everyone was well fed and welcomed. She enjoyed trips to Old Orchard Beach in Maine and attending the Tow Trade Show in Hampton Beach, NH.
Joanne was a classy lady, with her trademark hair style and pretty painted fingernails. She was impeccably dressed for any occasion.
She enjoyed trips to Foxwoods and loved playing the slot machines. She could operate several at one time! While there, she also ran a charter bus, happy to greet people.
Joanne will be dearly missed by her family and many friends through-out the NHTA. She lit up a room with her smile, friendliness and genuine kindness.
She is lovingly survived by her husband Stuart C. Stone and son Ron Stone, both of Newport, NH; her grandson Kyle Stone and wife Katrina of Unity, NH and two cherished grandchildren she loved to spoil, Jackson and Sophia: her sister Barbara Huff of Newport, NH and brother Paul R. Gosselin, Jr. of Enfield, NH. She was predeceased by her sister Betty A. Thibeault.
Friends may call on Friday, March 21st from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Newton-Bartlett Funeral Home, 42 Main St., in Newport, NH. A Graveside Service will be held later in the spring at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.
