NORWICH – Joanne Rice-Simpson, 64, a life-long Norwich resident, passed away early Thursday morning, June 14, 2007, at her home following a long illness.
Born in Norwich on July 4, 1942, Joanne was the son of George P. and Viola (Simmons) Funaro. Educated in the Norwich schools, she graduated with the Class of 1960. For over 20 years she worked within the Norwich School System as secretary to James Williams, the Assistant Superintendent of Schools, while concurrently studying with the Empire Program in SUNY. Joanne earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management and Interior Design prior to her retirement from the Norwich School System, and was then able to devote more of her time to her business on the East Rivet Road, Creative Custom Upholstery, which she had opened in the mid-1970s and operated with her husband Stephen Simpson. A driven woman with tremendous energy, Joanne was also a strict but loving mother who always had time for the needs of her family. Joanne and Stephen were married in St. Joseph’s Church in Oxford in 1990.
Joanne is survived by her husband, Stephen Simpson of Norwich; by her children: Lynn E. Rice II and wife Nicole of Iron Station, NC, Timothy P. Rice and wife Amy of Northborough, Mass., Michael J. Rice and Nicole of Grafton, Mass.; by her step-children: Michael W. Simpson and wife Betty of Dillsburg, PA, Louise Jones of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., Doris McNitt of Tarpon Springs, Fla,, and George Simpson Jr. and wife Lonnie of Oxford. She is also survived by her sister and brother: Patricia Williams and husband Ernest of Oxford, and Anthony Funaro of McDonough; by many grand and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Resurrection for Joanne will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 from St. Bartholomew’s Church. The Rev. Lester Smith, Pastor of St. Malachy’s Catholic Church of Sherbume, will officiate. Interment will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home on Monday from 6-8 p.m.
Those wishing to remember Joanne with a memorial contribution are asked to send it to the Kevin Guesthouse, 782 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY 14203; or to the Bone Marrow Foundation, 337 E. 88th St., Suite 1B, New York, New York 10128.