IN MEMORIAM: Joanne M. Blanchard, 91;

Retired Valleyview Elementary Library Aide

ONEONTA – JoAnne M. Blanchard, 91, a library aide at Valleyview Elementary School until her retirement, passed away May 23, 2019 at Fox Nursing Home.

She was born Aug. 19, 1927 in Carbondale, Pa., the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Mannion) Lavin.

JoAnne grew up in Carbondale, moving to Oneonta in 1950 with her husband, Herbert Blanchard.  JoAnne was a stay-at-home mom until 1970, when she started working at Valleyview Elementary School as a library aide, until retirement.

JoAnne was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and its Rosary Society.  She enjoyed spending her summers at Lewis Lake in Pennsylvania with her family and friends, a tradition that started in her early childhood.

She is survived by her daughters, Susan Blanchard of Oneonta and Johna Smith (Dan Welch) of Cooperstown; grandchildren, Jake (Brittany) Smith, Billy Smith and Benjamin Smith, all of Cooperstown; great-grandchildren, Eli and Shay Smith; a niece, Kathleen (Michael) Ceruti and family of Owego; a nephew, Joseph (Anne) Lavin and family of Forest City, Pa.; and several cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents; a brother, John (Alma) Lavin and a niece, Ann Lavin.

The funeral mass will be 10:15 a.m. Friday, June 7, at St. Mary’s, 39 Walnut St., Oneonta, with Rev. David Mickiewicz as celebrant.

Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Cooperstown, will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Catskill Area Hospice, 297 River Street, Service Road, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at, www.lhpfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are by Oneonta’s only family-owned funeral home, Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono at 51 Dietz Street.