Canfield- Joanne C. Brownlee, 90, formerly of Struthers, died Friday evening, October 19, 2018 at The Inn at Ironwood. Joanne was born July 10, 1928 in Pontiac, MI, a daughter of Edward and Anna Brunswick Griesdorn. She was a 1946 graduate of St. John’s High School in Lima and received her Associate’s Degree in Medical Technology from Ohio Northern University.
While attending Ohio Northern, she met Richard Dale “Dick” Brownlee and they were married on September 14, 1957. Joanne worked as a medical technologist at St. Rita Hospital in Lima until becoming a dedicated mother. In 1961, they relocated to Dick’s hometown of Struthers, where she made her home until four years ago when relocating to The Inn at Ironwood.
After raising her children, she returned to work and was employed at Norm’s Plaza Dairy for six years and then at the former McFarland Manor, both in Struthers. While her children were in school, she was active in the Struthers PTA, where she served on Council as recording secretary. She also served as a former president, vice president and recording secretary for Lyon Plat PTA and as the Struthers Band Boosters recording secretary.
Mrs. Brownlee was a longtime member of Christ Our Savior Parish at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, where she taught CCD for six years. In her free time, she enjoyed crocheting, reading, sewing, knitting, doing crossword puzzles and word searches, but especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her husband, Richard, preceded her in death on November 9, 2010.
She is survived by her three daughters, Beth (Gene) Donofrio of Campbell, Susan (Frank) Ravotti of Boardman, and Terri (David) Barka of Lanexa, VA; two sons, Edward (Jennifer) Brownlee of Louisville, KY and Steven Brownlee of Columbus; ten grandchildren, Vincent (Stacy) Donofrio, Gina (Jeremy) Bigley, Danielle Donofrio, Frankie Ravotti, Nicole Ravotti, Elena Brownlee, Nicholas Brownlee, Andrew Brownlee, Devin (Jena) Fakner, and Dale Barka; three great-grandchildren, Cameron and Olivia Bigley, and Elise Donofrio; and her sister-in-law, Cecilia Griesdorn of Lima. In addition to her parents and husband, Joanne was preceded in death by her two brothers, John Griesdorn and Bernard Griesdorn and his wife Norma. Family and friends will be received on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. and Thursday from 10-10:45 a.m. at the Davidson-Becker Funeral Home, 11 Spring St., Struthers.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Deacon Paul Lisko officiating. Interment will follow at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery. The family would like to the thank the staff of The Inn at Ironwood for their many years of wonderful and compassionate care given to Joanne and also to Hospice of the Valley for their compassionate care in recent months.
Please visit www. beckerobits.com to send condolences.
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