Obituary
Joan Marie Certa-Moore

Joan Marie Certa-Moore was born on November 13, 1953, in New York City to John Joseph Certa (deceased) and Helen Fabrizio Certa. Joanie passed away suddenly on Monday, November 20, 2023 at home while pursuing one of her many lifelong passions ~ planning and preparing a Thanksgiving gathering for her family and friends. Joanie is survived by her loving and devoted husband Eddie Moore, whom she married in 1985, son Kevin Moore and daughter Lora Byrnes. She had beautiful relationships with her daughter-in-law Allison and son-in-law Sean. Joanie’s newest apple in her eye was Riley Byrnes, her granddaughter whom she adored. Joanie is reconnected with her father John, brother John and cousin Suzanne Walters. Joanie was an exceptionally gifted and remarkably talented woman. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Meredith College and a Master of School Administration Degree from North Carolina State University. She was a fellow with the National Paideia Center and a graduate of Harvard University’s institute “The Project Zero Classroom Views on Understanding.” She dedicated her career in Wake County Public Schools to service for others as a teacher, administrator, volunteer, and mentor. A few of the many roles she played included dance educator, grant writer, magnet school coordinator, faculty advisor, pedagogy and curriculum integration developer, professional development coach, Paideia strategist, and A+ Schools consultant. She was a teacher mentor with the NC Museum of Art’s middle school project “The Art of Collaboration”. Her guidance benefitted the lives of thousands of students and colleagues in Wake County, across the state of North Carolina, and beyond. Joanie's expression in the world was through the arts. Music, movement, visual art, theater, and the literary arts inspired her and she shared her passion with others generously over five decades of creating, performing, and teaching. She believed that the arts are for everyone. Her motto was, "...anyone can be a dancer, you just have to move in your own way." Joanie was also a creative and accomplished writer, cook and baker who loved and nurtured her beautiful home, artwork and gardens, and they exemplify her creative imagination in countless ways. Her great love for writing poetry and prose blossomed in recent years, as did her enjoyment of collaborating with her writers’ group. Family and friends always came first, and her greatest joy came from surrounding all with love and kindness. Her personal service to others also knew no borders as she made several trips with her brother Steve to Guatemala for The Rotary Club of Weymouth Massachusetts. Everyone she touched cherished the time they had with her. Joanie’s playful and fun loving spirit will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joanie’s name to the Contemporary Arts Museum Raleigh (CAM), the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, or the North Carolina Museum of Art. Please join family and friends for a celebration of Joan’s life at Unitarian Universalist of Raleigh, 3313 Wade Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27607 on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 11:00AM with reception to follow. Thank you for keeping the Certa-Moore family in your thoughts and prayers during this time.