Alumni & Friends

Joanne (O'Keefe) Ricciardiello '68, History

Joanne (O'Keefe) Ricciardiello '68 enjoys life in Naples, Florida, where she and her husband, Philip, spend quality time with family and friends. A Salem State donor at the Sullivan  Society level, she encourages other alumni to support the same kind of quality education she received. "I had wonderful experiences at Salem State," says Joanne. After teaching history and English in middle and junior high schools in Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut, she left the classroom in 1975, and has been performing volunteer work since. Named Citizen of the Year in Virginia for her community service, she was also honored in Falls Church, Virginia, for her work with children."To have reconnected with the college and other alumni at this point has been so personally gratifying," she notes. Joanne is also connected to the college through her family. Her sister, Mary Lou Tuttle, earned a graduate degree in history from Salem State, while sister Kathy served as an adjunct professor and a women's softball and field hockey coach. Her brother Michael '73 was appointed to the college's board of trustees, and is still actively involved in Salem State activities. "Recognizing that times have changed and that government funding has dwindled over the years, private contributions are more important than ever for scholarships, programs and capital improvements," she points out. In addition to providing financial assistance, Joanne hosted a gathering at her home in February and an appreciation dinner for Sullivan Society donors living in Florida at the Royal Palm Country Club. She plans to do the same this year.