Joanne died peacefully with her family at her side at 4:45pm this afternoon. While we are sad for ourselves and each other, we rejoice in the victory over death provided to us through our Savior, Jesus Christ.

A memorial service with immediate family will be scheduled for a later date. If you would like to leave a memorial for Joanne, please consider the American Cancer Society – Lynch Syndrome, or leave a tribute on this Caring Bridge site.

Natalie Leonard, Joanne’s mother, used the following poem on the bulletin of her memorial service. Joanne wanted to leave this as her final message to you. She was comforted by these words during her grieving at the time. Perhaps we will be now.

God bless.

Safely Home (anonymous)

I am home in heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in heaven at last.

There is work still waiting for you.
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth –
You shall rest in God’s own land.

When that work is all complete,
He will gently call you Home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!

- Anonymous