NORWICH - Joanne J, Scraft, 52, life-long Norwich resident, went to be with her mother in Heaven early Easter Sunday morning, April 12, 2009, after a long and courageous battle with liver disease.
The daughter of Oscar and Betty Gibbon Schaefer, Joanne was born in Norwich in December of 1956 and was a graduate of the Norwich High School. In her early years, she was employed by Victory Markets. A good person who touched many lives and was a role model to many, Joanne loved going to Sylvan Beach and family barbeques. Her children and family were the most important things in her life; she was also a proud member of the Norwich Fire Dept. Auxiliary.
Joanne is survived by her father, Oscar Schaefer and his companion, Rose Conant, of Norwich; and by her children, Tonnia Wakefield and husband David of Oxford, Jeremy Tompkins of Greene, Zachary and Cody Schraft, both of Smyrna, Alyssa Youngs of Norwich; and her granddaughter, Amelia Wakefield. She is also survived by her sisters: Linda Forster of Oxford and Kimberly Walker and husband, Andrew, of Norwich; her brothers, John Schaefer of Oxford and Jim Schaefer of Binghamton; plus nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services for Joanne will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday from the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home, Norwich. Interment will be in Riverview Cemetery of Oxford. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Norwich Fire Dept. Auxiliary, P.O. Box 205, Norwich, NY 13815.