8.19.51 – 11.17.23
After a valiant battle with cancer, Joanne E. Layton, 72, died on November 17, 2023, in Victor, NY.
Joanne was born and raised in Binghamton, NY, and attended Binghamton Central High School, class of 1969. She then left to attend the Syracuse University School of Nursing, graduating in 1974. Upon her licensure as a Registered Nurse, she moved to Rochester, NY, to begin her nursing career, which spanned 50 years, and included positions at the Genesee Hospital and Strong Memorial Hospital, where she earned her CCRN and cared for those with critical illness. Early on, Joanne was called to become a nurse educator and graduated from the University of Rochester School of Nursing in 1981 with a master’s degree in cardiopulmonary nursing and a post-master’s certificate as an adult nurse practitioner in 1996. After retiring from the University of Rochester School of Nursing, she continued to work as an educator at Highland Hospital in Rochester, teaching BLS and ACLS, at Keuka College in Keuka Park, NY, and ended her career at the Rochester General College of Health Careers and Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing, in Irondequoit, NY. Joanne was an avid photographer and Facebook user, as her many friends and colleagues can attest, and shared her love and struggles with cancer far and wide, always being an educator and guide.
Joanne is survived by her daughter, Ashleigh (Craig Elliott); granddaughter, Leighton Preston Elliott; her mother, Betty Balles, and sisters, Donna-Rae (Neal Gilbert) and Suzanne Holmes; dear friends MargaretAnn Carno, Maria LaFaro, Leann Patel, Mark Patrick, and Craig Sellers; sisters of Chi Eta Phi; many nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues, and students; and fur pals, Raegan and Duncan. Joanne was predeceased by her sister, Nancianne Stevens, and nephew and godson, Andrew Stevens.
A Service of Remembrance will be held on December 9th, 2023, at 1:00 PM, in the All Souls Chapel at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, 2461 Lake Ave, Rochester, NY 14612. Enter at the East Gate, East Division (opposite the Main Gate) [https://mcnygenealogy.com/maps/map-4.jpg]. Interment of the cremains will occur immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Serenity House, 1278 Brace Rd., Victor, NY 14564 [https://serenity-house.org/bereavement-hospice-resources/bereavement/] where Joanne was lovingly cared for in her final days and the superb team of the UR Medicine Home Care Hospice Program [https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/home-care/hospice-care/donations.aspx].
Sorry for your loss, I knew Joanne when I was a PhD student at the School of Nursing. She was always friendly and kind.
Dear Family and Friends of JoAnne; I share your sadness at the untimely loss of such a dear and talented woman. She has left a remarkable legacy.
My deepest condolences to Joanne’s family.
Sorry about u lost God be w u and this hard moments 😔
So sad. Jo and I postponed lunch too many times. Her students loved her. Cancer takes away too many good people. It still hasn’t sunk in that she has left this earth. I am sure she is flying with the angels.❤️
My sympathy to Joanne’s family and friends. She truly was a warrior and left the world with grace. May she Rest in Peace
To a bright soul that touched so many life’s in so many ways. Her smile lit up a room. Many wonderful memories working with Joanne at Genesee Hospital. I enjoyed her photography and her kindness and gentle personality to all that met her. You could walk into a room as a stranger and leave as a friend. Cancer has not won but rather, Joanne is going onto her next phase and eternal life. You are so loved and cherished by all that knew you. Not Goodbye but until we meet again on the other side…. Be at Peace.
Respectfully
Judy Pearce Schreck
The path you made with your life will continue to comfort and inspire, and will be built upon by those who cared so deeply for you. You were a living example of kindness, and straight shooting- and your laughter was contagious. Plus your brain! It was amazing!
Joanne was a bright and shining star as I remember her from TGH. Always ready with a poignant quip to fit any situation we found ourselves in. Quick, humorous and empathetic to others needs. Go forth Joanne and spread your vision in the afterworld. Sympathies go out to the family.
Dear Ashleigh, family, and treasured friends:
It’s hard to think of a world without Joanne’s passion, brilliance, humility, photographs, and commitment to nursing.
Thank you for standing by our dear friend as she courageously fought cancer.
Ashleigh – she loved you always and called you her greatest gift.
Deepest sympathy,
Rita D’Aoust
Sending love and strength and my deepest condolences to you and your family in this difficult time. Luv ya Ash
I was fortunate to have “Professor Jo” as a teacher and mentor during the first class IGHSON offered in Potsdam. Her knowledge, compassion, dedication, grace, common sense and encouragement will never be forgotten. As a new LPN at age 60, I owe much of my success and positivity to her. Rest easy and thank you for being a part of my journey.
A truly treasured and authentic friend who lit up a room with her smile and shameless laughter… There will always be a light in my heart for Jo, one that she helped to ignite, and that may someday help guide our spirits back together… We will all miss her deeply…
Thanks to you, Jo, for sharing your passion, intelligence, and strength as we shared over three decades of life’s adventures…
You are very special and appreciated and has been an absolute honor to always be your ‘Huckleberry’,
-Matthew
Joanne was a woman of great faith and kindness. She inspired me to live each day to the fullest and never to give up. The world is a better place for having Joanne in it. Rest in peace, dear lady.
I learned so much from Joanne when I was ICU nurse at Genesee hospital. She was brilliant, kind funny and loved being a nurse she will be remembered fondly. .y deepest condolences to her family
My deepest sympathy and prayers sent for all who knew this very gentle, caring woman. I was very happy to call her a friend.
Ashleigh, You are your mom’s pride & joy. Many times we shared talks about our children & the furry ones too. She was a colleague and friend who I’ll truly miss. You’re in my prayers.
In this magnificent season of our Savior’s Birth I sit now and thank HIM for you Jo! Thank you for all you did to help us, your Nurse colleagues so we could help one another and most importantly our patients. Loved working with you as Clinical Nurse Specialists at Genesee and early days at Strong. I can hear you… your wonderful laugh. Love to Ashley. Duffy