Joanne Mary (Collins) Hampton, 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 21, 2026, with family by her side.
Born in Northampton, England, on June 28, 1934, Joanne was the daughter of Joseph and Elsie (Strike) Collins. She spent her early years in England attending boarding school in the countryside during World War II. Later, she met the love of her life, David C. Hampton, with whom she shared 61 years of marriage. Together they raised their children in England, where Joanne maintained many cherished family relationships and lifelong friendships.
In 1972, Joanne and her family moved to Clearwater, Florida, where she resided for more than five decades. In Clearwater, Joanne and David developed a deep passion for Dixieland jazz, which led them to become founding members of the Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Society and Festival, an organization that continues to thrive today.
In addition to her love of Dixieland jazz, Joanne was an avid tennis player who continued enjoying the sport well into her 70s. She also worked at the historic Belleview Biltmore Hotel, where she formed many lasting friendships. Joanne and David especially loved spending time outdoors, often walking the beaches and nature trails of Honeymoon Island in Dunedin, Florida.
Joanne is survived by her son, Robin Hampton and his wife, Elizabeth, of Albany, New York; her daughter, Annabel Heeney and her husband, William, of Bedford, Massachusetts; her grandchildren, Jillian Bacon, Amanda Hampton, David Hampton, and Emelyn Sutton Heeney; and her great-granddaughter, Emerson Joanne Bacon.
In addition to her husband and parents, Joanne was predeceased by her brother, Peter Collins, and his wife, Sheila, of Bromsgrove, England.
Memorial service information will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in her memory to Suncoast Jazz Festival Note: Youth Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 395 Largo, FL 33779.
