Joanne M. Pierson

We are saddened to announce that Joanne M. Pierson, age 82 died peacefully, reuniting with her loved ones in heaven on October 21, 2020.  Joanne was born to Josephine and Robert Dugan in Manhattan, NY at the New York Infirmary for Women and Children. Mom loved the fact that she got her start at a hospital founded and run by women with a mission to serve the poor, while educating women in the healing arts. She leaves behind her husband Rodney Pierson, her four children, a sister Barbara Anslie of Sayville NY and sister-in-law Emmy Alford of Middlebury VT along with her nephews and nieces that she had the pleasure of watching grow into caring adults. Growing up in Rockville Center she was a graduate of St. Agnes Catholic High School. From there she continued her education at Southampton Hospital School of Nursing to continue her career as an RN.  Her special love was in the operating room where she started at Mercy Hospital. Joanne then continued on that career track here at Southampton Hospital. In nursing, Joanne made many wonderful friends over the years and later in life loved to reminisce about their adventures together. Midlife, looking for a career change to go with her love of books, Joanne became a mainstay at the Rogers Memorial Library where she was always ready to recommend a good book or share her love of reading with others. Till the very end that was one of her first questions “What book are you reading?” If she wasn’t reading a book, she was reading the local obits. The pressure is real to do right by her with this writing.
While pursuing her nursing career, Joanne met Rodney B. Pierson, a handsome local at the Anchorage bar. “He was the handsomest man I’d ever seen” was her go to phrase when looking back at that time.  Dad found his spunky lady and together they made a life in Southampton and raised 4 children. Susan Rozzi (Michael) of South Bend IN, Kristin Maggi (Raymond) of Blue Point NY, Rodney C. Pierson (Amy) of Southampton NY and McKenna Pierson of Southampton NY. Grandchildren were the fruit of those unions and together, Olivia Rozzi, Liam Rozzi, Sarah Pierson, Shelby Pierson, Caroline Maggi, and Colin Maggi think fondly of Nana and the adventures they shared with her.
She was not a typical Nana. She never coddled but was there when you needed her always willing to have the grandkids tag along on her errands and beach runs. Naps at 3 and cocktails at 5!  Sunday it was mass and the NYT crossword puzzle, in ink. For many years she was able to share her love of Christ and the Blessed Mother as a lector at the OLP parish. She was a wonderful cook with our favorites like shrimp creole, short ribs and clam chowder.  Her salad dressing was infamous. Everyone loved “Nana’s sauce”. Her dogs (and kitties!) by her side every minute, gave her great comfort in her sunset years.  Ginger, Spooky, Cinder, Duke, Machin, Molly, Sinker, Maggie, Nora, Ruby, Finley, Maisey and finally Mabel, all at one time or another found a loving, spoiled home with Joanne. She loved politics and followed all the channels to get all the perspectives. A tried and true Democrat she would vote if she could, so bring her in spirit to the voting booth on the 3rd!
Please in lieu of flowers make a donation to the Fresh Air Fund or the Rodgers Memorial Library.
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joanne M. Pierson, please visit our floral store.