JoAnne Lynn Wetherell- Moriarty

1958-2024

JoAnne was born in Putnam, Connecticut on July 18, 1958, and passed away in Shoreview, Minnesota on December 20, 2024. 

She was raised by a single mom. Estelle Menard, and had three older siblings.  She graduated from Putnam High School. The first person in her family to graduate.  JoAnne received a BS in Animal Science from the University of Connecticut in 1980 and a MS in Dairy Science from the University of Kentucky in 1983.  JoAnne met John Moriarty during their Junior year at UConn and were married on August 8, 1981.  They moved to Minnesota in the fall of 1983 where JoAnne started a position in the University of Minnesota’s Animal Science Department.  Over her career at the U of MN she also worked in the College of Human Ecology and Information Technology Department working on the METNET program. She retired in the spring of 2024.

JoAnne and John had twins Caitlin and Daniel on April 28, 1991.  They lived in Roseville then moved to Shoreview in 1995.  JoAnne’s first granddaughter, Orla Elizabeth was born on March 26, 2024 to Caitlin and her husband Jakob.

JoAnne was active with Girl Scouts in the North Pines Service Unit in Roseville where she was the leader of Troop 315, Service Unit manager and a council trainer.  Her longest Girl Scout activity was on the Witch’s Crew at Spookamaga which she continued to this year.

JoAnne was an avid knitter who enjoyed her weekend knitting groups. One of her favorite knitting related events was the annual Shepard Harvest.  She was a rabid reader who made weekly visits to the Roseville Library.  She was a member of the Friends of the Ramsey County Library and a supporter of U of MN libraries and the Ampersand Club 

A lifelong pet lover, JoAnne had at least one cat or dog for her whole life.  Normally multiple cats. She also helped with John’s herd of turtles.

She leaves behind her husband, of 43 years, John, son Daniel of St. Paul and daughter Caitlin, son-in-law Jakop Dopp, and the love of her life, granddaughter Orla, of Ann Arbor, MI. As well as numerous extended family and friends.

A celebration of her life will be held in the spring. Additional information and details will be sent to friends and family and will be listed on this site.

Persons wanting to honor her can make donations to Friends of Ramsey County Libraries (https://rclfriends.org/) , the American Cancer Society in Minnesota (https://www.cancer.org/about-us/local/minnesota.html) or a charity of your choice.