NORWICH – Joan Smith, 89, formerly of Norwich and Sherburne, and most recently of the New York State Veterans Home, passed away Tuesday morning, July 30, 2013, in the NYS Vets Home of Oxford.
Joan was born in Norwich on July 25, 1924 the daughter of Joseph and Rosa Taranto Garofalo. She was a 1943 graduate of the Norwich High School and continued her education by earning her cosmetology/beautician’s license. Joan owned and operated her own beauty shop on Birdsall Street for a period of 27 years. In 1979, she and her husband moved to Sherburne. She had also worked at Arrow Laundry for 17 years before her retirement. Joan has made her home at the New York State Veterans Home for the past several years. A lifelong and dedicated member of St. Bartholomew’s Roman Catholic Church, Joan had been very active in many of the church’s activities and functions. She was also an active volunteer for Meals on Wheels.
On Nov. 22, 1945 in St. Bartholomew’s Roman Catholic Church, she married James J. Smith, who passed away Feb.16, 2003.
Joan is survived by her children, Rose Ellen Yacano and husband Joseph of Stuart, FL; Mary Shellito of Norwich; Kathy Gibbon and husband Michael of Norwich; James Smith and wife Melody of Mass.; Debra Smith and companion Steve Fox of Norwich; and Nancy Mantell and companion Bill Pagano of Sherburne. Also surviving are her sisters Josephine Jones and Phyllis Levesque of Norwich, 16 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and her daughter-in-law Donna Smit.h along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides her husband James, Joan was predeceased by her son Ronald Smith, her sister Grace Garofalo, Rose Forester, Nancy Garofalo, Angelina DeLucia, and her brothers John and George Garofalo.
A Mass for Joan will be held at 10 a.m. on August 6 from St. Bartholomew’s Roman Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the North Norwich Cemetery.
Friends may call from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday at the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home.