Joanne M. (McGill) Alger

Joanne M. Alger, age 70, of Pittsfield, died suddenly Sunday morning at the Berkshire Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. Born in Pittsfield, MA on June 26, 1951, she was the daughter of the late John J. McGill and Marjorie (Savory) Pulver. She was a graduate of Pittsfield High School.

Joanne worked at TJ Maxx in Pittsfield for many years, where she worked her way up from department clerk to store manager, first in Latham, NY, then back in Pittsfield. Joanne took pride in knowing most of her customers by name, and often knew their tastes well enough to set an item or two aside for them before they ever saw them. She also was the store manager of the Rite Aid/Brooks drugstore on Elm Street, where she gained the affection of many loyal customers before retiring in 2012. As manager, she took great pride in the appearance of the store, and often worked many more hours than required to bring it back to her standards.

Joanne also loved traveling with her husband, and was fortunate enough to visit many foreign countries in Europe and the Caribbean. Her favorite of all their travels was the trip to Hawaii where she learned the hula, experienced a luau, climbed Diamondhead, and even tried outrigger surfing.

In her later years, as she suffered from Parkinson’s disease, she spent much of her time watching her favorite television channel, Lifetime Movie Network, with her daughter, and full time caretaker, Kellie. Even on her hardest days, she was always up for a visit with family and friends, especially her sisters and mother.

She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Steve, and two daughters, Kellie Kindel (Jeremy) of Pittsfield, and Cassandra Alger of North Adams, as well as her beloved granddaughter, Amaya Alger of Pittsfield. She was predeceased by one daughter, Kimberley Ann Volin, with whom she is now reunited.

She was also predeceased by her mother Marjorie Pulver, just 13 days ago, and by Ray Pulver, Sr. of Cheshire.

Joanne is also survived by her sisters, Christine Kiernan (Patrick) of Lanesboro and Kathleen McGill of Pittsfield, Carol Wilson (Patrick) of Pittsfield, and a brother, Ray Pulver Jr. (Tom) of California. She was also fortunate enough to have 4 brothers-in-law, Jim, Rick (Maureen), Gary (Dori) and Scott (Linda) Alger, and 4 sisters-in-law, Evelyn Spagnolo (John), Patti, Cheryl, and Melody Alger - all of Rhode Island. In addition, Joanne shared the love of 13 nieces and nephews, as well as many grand-nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to extend their deepest thanks to the doctors and nurses of the Emergency room and Intensive Care Unit at BMC for the care and sensitivity extended to Joanne and the entire family during a very difficult time.

SERVICES: Friends are invited to join with the family for visitation on Saturday, October 30th beginning at 8:30AM at Devanny-Condron Funeral Home. A funeral home prayer service will begin at 9:30AM with burial to follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. 

The family kindly requests that anyone attending services to wear a mask at both the funeral home and the cemetery and to please practice social distancing. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made payable to “The Jimmy Fund of the Berkshires” and mailed to the funeral home.

Please note - The livestream option for Joanne's Services will not be available, so please disregard the notice in the Berkshire Eagle explaining the process to access the Livestream Portal.