Deceased August 19, 2023
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IN MEMORY
Our dear friend Joan Liberman Butcher lost her five-year battle with aggressive brain cancer on Aug. 19, 2023. Although her prognosis was grim, she fought bravely against this terrible disease, undergoing several surgeries and experimental treatments. Through it all, she maintained her positivity and sense of humor. She never let her diagnosis define her or stop her from doing what she loved.
At Amherst, Joanie majored in English and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. She was an RC during her junior year. It was clear she was cut out for this position—her residents came to count on her wisdom and guidance even once her term ended.
After Amherst, Joanie went to Brown for medical school. She had a successful career as a psychiatrist, where her patients, like her residents, appreciated her caring spirit and forthright nature.
From an early age, Joanie was steeped in the fight for social justice. She remembers protesting the Vietnam War with her mother as a young child. While at Amherst, she biked to see Geraldine Ferraro, the first female U.S. major-party vice-presidential nominee. More recently, Joanie was a fierce advocate for ending gun violence. The St. Louis Moms Demand Action group was a major part of her life; Joanie was passionate about this worthy cause.
Joanie’s love of Amherst never wavered. She was a regular at reunions, where she treasured the opportunity to reconnect with old friends.
As her former roommates, we are heartbroken. We will miss her intellect, wit and caring spirit at our annual get-togethers and will root for her beloved St. Louis Cardinals in her honor. We would like to extend our sympathy to her daughters, Tess and Emma; son-in-law; granddaughter; parents; brother; and many friends.
Wendy (Saltman) Sullivan ’85, Sharon (Malsan) Sciartelli ’85, Chrissy (Funderburk) Lingelbach ’85 and Kathleen (McKibbin) Lloyd-Jones ’85