Joanne Howard, a three-decade veteran of the municipal bond industry, passed away last week at age 56. The cause was ovarian cancer, according to her husband, Michael H. Howard.
Mrs. Howard worked at Goldman Sachs for 34 years and was involved in trading muni bonds for the private wealth-management division beginning in 1976. She became a vice president in 1984 and was named managing director in 2006.
“It was my privilege and the privilege of so many current and former employees of Goldman Sachs to know Joanne,” said Eric Lane, Mrs. Howard’s boss as co-chief operating officer of the investment management division. “She was an outstanding professional who exemplified the importance of teamwork and integrity. The example Joanne set of balancing priorities and making time to mentor and befriend others is something that will live on.”
“Joanne cared and everyone knew it,” Lane said. “We all feel fortunate that she was part of our lives. She will be missed.”
Mrs. Howard’s husband said she was adamant about working until the end and negotiated with doctors to put in half-days even after undergoing chemotherapy.
“She was an absolutely wonderful person devoted to her family, and loved her job,” said Judy Wesalo Temel, who had worked with Mrs. Howard at Goldman as a credit analyst. “Those were the most important things in her life. … She had a great sense of humor, and she was very focused on her job, but always had her priorities right.”
Mrs. Howard is survived by her husband and two children, Beth and Jill.
