Joanne Rollande (White) Batchelder peacefully passed away on Thursday December 18, 2025, at the UVM Medical Center after suffering a massive CVA at home. All her family was with her when she died, and Holy Mass was celebrated with her at the time of her passing.
Joanne was born September 12, 1949, in Barre, VT, the only daughter to Dalton and Rollande (Fortier) White. Joanne was united in marriage to her beloved husband Bruce on October 31, 1970, at St Monica’s Catholic Church in Barre, VT.
Joanne graduated from Champlain College and began work for the Vermont State Engineering Department before serving as secretary to Governor Tom Salmon in his administration. She later served as District Court Clerk and Probate Registrar for the Grand Isle Courts. Eventually, Joanne was elected as Assistant Judge for Grand Isle Courts, transferred as Assistant Judge to Lamoille Courts and later returned to serve the Grand Isle Courts, retiring in 2024. In addition, Joanne completed her Master of Arts in counseling degree and worked as a School Guidance Counselor for the Grand Isle Schools as well as for the Bishop John A. Marshall School in Morrisville and St. Michael’s School in Montpelier.
Joanne founded Indian Mill Antiques and pursued her love and interest for antiques by buying and selling her unique finds and enjoying the company of her many companions in the business world. After raising their family in Alburgh, she and Bruce moved from the Islands to Elmore, VT where they established the first new Catholic School in Vermont in 50 years: The Bishop John A. Marshall School (now called All Saints Catholic Academy). After the ten years of founding the school, Joanne and Bruce moved back to the Champlain Islands and purchased Holiday Harbor Lodge, converting an older roadside motel to a premier fishing lodge in North Hero, VT. Joanne “reinvented” herself once again and provided classic Adirondack –style accommodations for travelers and fishermen to Lake Champlain. Retiring in 2020, Joanne and Bruce restored an 1845 Vermont farmhouse in North Hero to enjoy the quiet life in the Islands.
Joanne is survived by her husband of 55 years, Bruce; three daughters: Anne Solomon (Daniel), Brooke Wright (Joseph), and Hope Schneir (Justin); grandchildren: Jacob, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Therese, Catherine, Gemma, Bernadette, Michael, Mary, Sarah, Samuel(Rachel), Ethan(Christine), Gabriel, Augustine, Magdalene, Johanna, Cecilia, Elijah, Triona, Henry, Indigo, Morey, Juniper, Wren, Mercy, Marigold and Pier Georgia; great grandchildren: Amelia, Madeline, Eleanor and Chiara.
In addition to her parents, Joanne was predeceased by her brothers: Ronald, Donald and Joey.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 12:00 Noon at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 245 Lake St. St. Albans, VT.
Contributions in Joanne’s memory may be made to All Saints Catholic Academy,680 LaPorte Road, Morrisville, VT 05661.
To send Joanne’s family a message of condolence kindly go to www.healdfuneralhome.com.
Posted online on December 20, 2025
Published in Burlington Free Press
