Joanne R. McCarty

Joanne Ruth (Fisher) McCarty Joanne R. McCarty, age 86, of Akron, went home to be with the Lord on July 21, 2013.

She was born May 25, 1927 in Akron, the daughter of Frank and Mildred Bures Fisher. Family and friends were Joanne’s passion and delight and she was known for her ease in conversations with her family and total strangers. As a child she possessed a contagious smile and entertaining sense of humor that would follow her throughout her life. Her signature gift of joy, shown through her constant smiling, laughter and sense of humor will never be forgotten. A woman of faith and the heart and glue of the McCarty family, she was a consummate mother, homemaker, and enjoyed time with her family.

Joanne loved gardening, as she looked forward to each spring and the rebirth of her flowers. She also enjoyed creative crafts, needlepoint and knitting. Joanne was an avid reader of newspapers, novels, and could not wait to tackle the daily crossword puzzle. She was a wonderful grandmother who greatly enjoyed the antics of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joanne struggled for many years with numerous health challenges with a strong will, determination and grace. As said in 2 Corinthians 4:16, “This is the reason we do not give up. Our human body is wearing out. But our spirits are getting stronger every day.” The family will miss her but will continue to pass on her legacy.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Mildred; infant son, Michael Patrick McCarty; and brothers, Donald and Rodney Booth. Married for 66 years, Joanne married John T. McCarty on August 2, 1947 in Akron, Ohio and together they had six sons and one daughter. Her surviving family members are numerous and include her husband, John; children, Terry (Susan) of Palm Coast, Fla., Dion of St. Augustine, Fla., Dana of Mogadore, Kevin (Jennifer), Michael Sean (Lisa), Thomas (Wendy), and Angie, all of Akron; grandchildren, Ryan, Nikki, Rob, James, Devon and Nicole; and great-grandchildren, Peyton, Alexis, Nicolas, Savannah, Rebekah, Erin (Jason), and David.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, 12 noon at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 547 Canton Road, Akron, Ohio 44312 with Rev. Richard W. Ferris officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Mogadore. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10 a.m. Saturday until service time. Should friends desire, donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.