Joanne C. Gaffney

PORTAGE  -- Joanne C. Gaffney, age 79, of Portage, died on Saturday, May 16, 2009, at the Divine Savior Healthcare Hospital in Portage surrounded by her family.

Mass of Christian burial will held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at St Mary Catholic Church in Portage, with Fr. Jim Murphy presiding. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage and on Wednesday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m.

Joanne was born on December 14, 1929 in Portage, the daughter of Frances and Olive (Gordon) Murphy. Joanne taught second grade in Janesville and briefly in Portage. She was married on June 30, 1956 in Portage to Joseph Gaffney. Together they ran Joe’s Standard/Mobil. He preceded her in death in 1985.   Joanne enjoyed spending her time with her loving family.  Joanne was a lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church and a former member of Catholic Women’s Club. She loved playing cards and going out to eat with her friends.

She is survived by her children, Mary (James) Kabele, Timothy Gaffney, Daniel Gaffney, Patti Hardt     Roller (Gene) and Michael (Angie) Gaffney, all of Portage; grandchildren, Adam (Melissa) Gaffney, Jeff (Laura) Gaffney, Jason Hardt, Jamie (Jason) Jones, Mike Gaffney, Kari Hardt, Brian Gaffney, BJ Kabele, Joe Gaffney, Matt Gaffney, Kayla Gaffney, Lauren Gaffney, Alec Gaffney, Jordyn Gaffney, Ashley Roller; great-grandchildren, Jessica Heitke, Mason Pate, Cameron Jones, Morgan Jones, Grayson Gaffney, with two more great grandkids on the way; sisters, Marilyn (Richard) Green, Warren, New Jersey; special friend, Oweda Peterson, Portage. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many close friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Joseph.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Divine Savior Extended Health Care for their loving care and good food.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to St. Mary Church.

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