Joanne L. Walsh, 72, died Tuesday, October 12, 2021 in Newport News.  Born in Baltimore, she was a Peninsula resident for 65 years.  She was a member of many honor societies at Hampton High School, graduating in 1967.  Joanne received her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and her Masters in Aeronautical Engineering from Old Dominion University.

During her career, Joanne was a pioneer in a male-dominated field.  In the early years of her career at NASA Langley she was involved in a project that increased the efficiency and effectiveness of helicopter rotor blade design.  To gain more experience in nuclear physics, she worked two years at Livermore National Labs in California.  She was transferred to Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland and tasked with redesigning the M1a1 Abrams tank and its projectiles.  Joanne and her team drove the battle tanker, fired high explosive rounds, and performed required testing on their new design.   Their findings and efforts were implemented on this prestigious military resource.   Returning to NASA Langley as a supervisor her analytical skills and acute attention to details enabled her to lead the team that trouble-shot stalled computer programs.  After 30 years of civil service, Joanne retired from NASA in 2005.

After her retirement, she began a new career as a certified water aerobics instructor at Sentara Careplex Fitness Center.  Today, her former students are her closest friends. They rallied around her and supported her during her 3½ year battle with cancer.

Joanne was an avid Disney fanatic and a member of the elite D23 Fan Club. Her love of Disney was evident in her attire, Christmas trees and home décor. During her bi-monthly visits to UVA, the medical staff tried to stump her with a difficult and well-researched Disney trivia question, but to no avail!

With her family, Joanne attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church.  Many years later she began attending Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.  She made pillowcases for the American Cancer Society and served as a mentor to Scouts, who were working with engineers at NASA.   In June of 2021, she was honored in Charlottesville with a Symposium on current medical advances in glioblastoma research and given membership into the Compass Rose Society at UVA.

In April of 2018, Joanne was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, a lethal brain tumor with a survival rate of weeks to a few months.   As a scientist, she was determined to lead the charge to find a treatment that would crush this monster.  Joanne became the first volunteer in UVA's research project involving immunology, the BATS study.  She attributed her 3 ½ year survival rate to the innovative treatments she received at the UVA Medical Center.

Profound gratitude is given to Dr. Camilo Fadul, researchers, and the neurology staff at the Emily Couric Cancer Center at UVA.  Many heart-felt thanks to the staff and residents of the Chesapeake Retirement Community for taking extraordinary care of Joanne during the last six months of her life when she was so fragile.  A very special salute to Joanne for her courage and persistence in dealing with this devastating disease while maintaining her deep concern for others.

Visitation will be 4-6pm Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 28 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. To watch the mass live, please click here.

In lieu of flowers and to support continued research into curing patients with glioblastomas, gifts may be made to "Neuro Oncology Program Support Gifts 13604". Checks should be made payable to Rector and Visitors of UVA and mailed to UVA Health, P.O. Box 37963, Boone, IA 50037 or online

https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/20649/donations/new?a=4450990 (Under Designation*  choose 22178 for glioblastoma)