Obituary of Joanne M. "JoJo" Lawrence

ILION – Joanne “JoJo” M. Lawrence, age 88, formerly of Barringer Rd., Ilion, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 1, 2018, at Valley Health Services, Herkimer, where she had been a resident for the past few years.

She was born on January 16, 1930, in Herkimer, the daughter of D. Carlton Powers and Blanche (Hawks) Powers.  She attended Ilion schools.  On December 1, 1951, she was married to Benjamin H. “Ben” Lawrence, at the First Baptist Church, of Ilion.  He died in December 2016.  At one time, Joanne was a Home Health Aide at Catholic Charities, but most of her life she was a homemaker taking care of her family.  Mrs. Lawrence was a long time member of the First Baptist Church of Ilion, serving as Deaconess and Past President of its Women’s Society.  Joanne was also a recipient of the Award of Excellence at the church.  She was a Lay Minister.   She was also a former member of the Eastern Star.  Joanne’s life centered around her family, children and grandchildren.

Surviving family members include her three daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and William Copp, of Liverpool, NY,  Dee Dee and Rick Maiolo, of Ridgefield, CT and Dawn and Robert Pilkington, of Danbury, CT; two sons and daughters-in-law, David and Pam Lawrence, of Ilion and Dale and Lori Lawrence, of Florida; twelve grandchildren, Matthew Lawrence and his wife, Calin, Timothy Lawrence and his wife, Ashley, Michael and Megan Latuga, Jessica and Billy Copp, Giovanna, Samantha and Sophia Maiolo, Daniel Lawrence and his wife, Zoey, Melissa Fehringer and her husband, Chris and Sarah Jane Lawrence; eight great-grandchildren; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Rev. Donald L. and Kathy Lawrence, of Penn Yan, NY; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Calling hours will be held Monday, November 5, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s original location, at 102 West St., Ilion.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., at the funeral home at 102 West St., Ilion, with Rev. John Partise, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Ilion, officiating.  Burial will be at Armory Hill Cemetery, Ilion.

Anyone wishing to share a memory of Joanne “JoJo”, or add to her online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com.

The Lawrence family wishes to thank the staff at Valley Health Services, Herkimer, for the loving care given to their mother, Joanne.

In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Ilion, 8 Second Street, Ilion, NY 13357.  Envelopes are also available at the funeral home.

Joanne’s services arrangements and supervision were prearranged and entrusted to her Family Funeral Director, Don Applegate.