BRISTOL — On Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, at the age of 87 years, JoAnn H. Hellier-Heinz, made her final preparations and set sail for bluer waters.
JoAnn was the second twin (Baby “B”) born to Frank “Huck” M. and Lois “Ma” Holby, which gave her the lifelong bragging rights to say she was younger than her twin sister, (Baby “A”) Linda. The Holby twins grew up on Pigtail Farm in Noank, Conn., together with their younger sisters, Susan and Dana. JoAnn attended Fitch Senior High School, the University of Connecticut and was employed as an x-ray technician at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London, Conn. for many years.
She and her husband of 42 years, H. Peter Heinz, resided in Waterbury, Vt., before relocating to Bristol, Vt., to be closer to family. They enjoyed extensive travel and particularly time spent on the island of Kaua’i. JoAnn will be remembered for her creativity, her passion for bluebirds and owls, her unique personality and love for her family.
JoAnn will be greatly missed by her husband, Peter; children John H. Hellier, Dawn Hellier (Tom Hatfield) and Skimmer Hellier (Jill Kopel); and grandchildren, Ruby and Ada Hellier, Max Noble, and Christopher and Tyler Carnese.
She is predeceased by her parents; her mother-in-law, Irmgard Heinz; her sisters, Susan Garrison and Linda Holby Jones; her brothers-in-law, Richard Garrison, Jack Jones and Rich Moore; her stepson, Percy Heinz; and grandson Tyler Carnese.
JoAnn’s family is especially grateful to JoAnn’s devoted caretaker, companion and friend, Louise Rickard and the staff at the Arbors in Shelburne, Vermont.
Services will be arranged at a later date. ◊
