Salem…..
Joan P. Gormalley, age 71 of Salem , died unexpectedly Wednesday morning in the North Shore Medical Center , Union Hospital Lynn.

Born in Salem the daughter of the late Francis P and Edith (Bates) Gormalley, Joan was educated at St. Mary's School in Salem and was graduated from Saint Chritienne Academy. After receiving her degree from Salem State College, Miss Gormalley was the first lay teacher at St. Pius V School in Lynn where she taught third grade for many years. She later taught in Salem 's middle school until becoming the Executive Director of the Salem Chamber of Commerce.

Her passionate promotion of the City of Salem shone through in many of the Chamber's activities. Joan was the Co originator of Salem 's "Haunted Happening."

Her community involvement also included serving as a Trustee of Salem State College, being a board member and former Chairperson of the Board of Essex Agricultural and Technical School , Danvers , her active involvement with Social Advocates for Youth as well as with H.A.W.C (Healing Abuse Working for Change). Through her late uncle Congressman William H. Bates and the late George Bates, Joan had been active in local and State politics. At one time Joan had served as the statewide chairperson for the Massachusetts Young Republican committee and was a great friend of and loyal campaign worker for United States Senator Edward Brooke

More recently and until her retirement, Joan had been the Employment Coordinator of Pioneer House (a program of Health and education Services, Inc) Pioneer House formerly of Salem and now located in Peabody .

Miss Gormalley is survived by an aunt Catherine Shore of Salem,; many cousins and a large circle of friends including her close friend Marie Cardillo and her family of Salem , Lynn and the surrounding area.

Her funeral will be held on Saturday at 8:15 A.M. from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., (cor of North St) Salem to be followed by a funeral Mass at 9:00 AM in St. Anne Church, 290 Jefferson Ave., Salem. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Interment will be private. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Pioneer House, 2 Washington St., Peabody, MA 01960 or to the North East Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Avenue, Salem, MA 01970 or St. Joseph's Food Pantry, 15 Hawthorne Blvd., Salem, MA 01970. For additional information or online guest book please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.