Greece, NY: November 26, 2020 after several months of declining health. Predeceased by son Charles (“CJ”, “Chuck”) Claus. Joanne is survived by her husband Raymond A. (“Skip”) Claus; sister Patricia Vogt of Ormond Beach, FL; daughters Colleen (Eugene) Yount, Susan Claus Sweeney, Cynthia (Alphonse) Scribani, Sharon (Les Weaver) Claus; son Joseph (Tiffany) Claus; thirteen grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends.
Joanne graduated from Nazareth High School in 1950. She attended St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Rochester, NY, and received her RN degree in 1953. Her successful career as a Registered Nurse included private duty nursing, the Hurlbut Nursing Home, and as Director of Nursing at Penfield Place.
Joanne and Ray were married in 1954 and raised six active children who cherish fond memories of Allegany State Park and their annual family camping trips. In her retirement years, Joanne enjoyed many wonderful on-the-road adventures with her husband as they towed their RV from Maine to Florida and New York to California, seeing the sites and visiting out-of-town family. Joanne attended St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on East Avenue in Rochester where she was an active member of the Episcopal Church Women’s group. She served alongside her husband as a Eucharistic Minister and in various other volunteer positions at the church for many years.
Interment will be in the Columbarium at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, East Avenue, Rochester, NY. A memorial service will be held in the Spring when the worst of the pandemic is past and family and friends can safely gather together to celebrate the life of this beautiful lady.
An angel has truly gone home. Joanne was the epitome of love and goodness, her choice of career in helping others was exactly who she was. May the many memories you all have sustain you at this difficult time. God bless you all for all you did for her.
What a beautiful picture. That is exactly how I will remember her. Joanne lived a full life and now she is at peace with Jesus.
I will always have wonderful memories of Aunt Joanne. She was always so kind and had a beautiful smile and was happy to see you. She often told me how she and Uncle Skip used to babysit me and my sister Carolyn. She was such a lovely lady. I am sure she is in heaven with her son Chuck. My love to all the family.
I knew Joanne from St Paul’s Church. I immediately felt such a warm kindness and friendship from her. She and her husband Ray became good friends to me. Both were so admired at St Paul’s. I imagine she was very welcomed in Heaven. An angel returning home.