JoAnn Lanning, age 73, went home to Jesus on Thursday March 5, 2020 in Fairport, NY.
JoAnn was born on March 7, 1947 in Rochester, NY to Frank and Savia Rinaldi. She graduated from East Rochester High School in 1965, proudly fifth in her class. She then attended and graduated from Nazareth College with a degree in French, Summa Cum Laude, in 1969. JoAnn was married to her best friend, David Lanning, for 50 years.
JoAnn is survived by her loving husband, three children, Benjamin (Rebecca), Daniel (Katie), and Joseph (Laurie), and four grandchildren, Olivia, Jonathan, Rachael, and Matthew.
While JoAnn centered so much of her life on her family, as a wife, mother, and Nana, she was also a talented singer, language major, and teacher who fondly retold the stories of her travels in France as a college student. She was proud of her days as a cheerleader for the East Rochester Bombers and could recite her cheers to the end. (Rybelsus online) She enjoyed going to the beach with David, whether to New Jersey or Florida, as long as there was a jewelry store nearby. She was a friend to everyone she knew and tirelessly put in the effort it takes to maintain and grow her friendships, whether across town or across the country. She always wanted everyone to feel loved.
JoAnn will be remembered for her overwhelming generosity, her gentleness and kindness, her beauty and brains, and her strong faith in the Lord. Like her loving mother before her, you never left her house empty handed. She gave endlessly to her children and grandchildren and reveled in every snuggle, hug and kiss. She instilled a strong work ethic in them and was proud of their every success.
JoAnn will also be remembered as a patient, resilient, and fierce battler, who overcame great health challenges in her life and persevered. In the face of her own challenges, she never stopped caring for her family and the needs of others, through her consistent and generous giving.
Her loving embrace leaves a void for so many, but there is comfort in knowing she is now embraced by the Lord. The last prayer she wrote for herself read, “God, please keep all of my family safe and happy. I love them so much.”
Friends are invited to visiting hours from 3:00-7:00PM on Monday, March 9 at Keenans Funeral Home located at 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Rd., Fairport, NY. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 11 at 10:00AM at St. Jerome’s Church located at 207 Garfield St., East Rochester, NY.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital to celebrate her love for children in need. https://www.stjude.org
Comments
36 responses to “Lanning, Jo Ann”
JoAnn was a wonderfully gentle, caring friend. Her loving presence will be dearly missed by many.
She was a gentle Loving ,strong soul I will miss her.
JoAnn loved her family so much and was so proud of them, children and grandchildren. Her strength, generosity, and kindness will be missed by all who knew her. May she rest in peace.
Coach, Ben, Dan and Joe,,,, My condolences for the loss of your wife and mom. I will keep you all in my prayers as you go through this extremely tough time.
I have many wonderful memories of the times I spent with JoAnn & wish now that I had kept in touch more. She was so kind, had a beautiful smile & a very
contagious laugh. She loved her boys & was so proud of each one of them. She will leave a void in the hearts of all who knew her but they will remember
how she made them be a better person. God Bless you my friend & may you finally rest in peace.
To the entire Lanning family, we are so sorry to hear of Mrs. Lanning’s passing. We will miss seeing her smiling face in Wegmans. She was always smiling! Our many thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
To Dave and the Lanning Family, our deepest sympathies on the loss of Jo Ann. She was such a nice person that was clearly so proud of her boys, especially during those sports-playing days! We will be keeping your family in our prayers in the difficult days ahead.
Your hearts have been broken in the most painful way. An enormous loss for all of us. We are so very sorry.
We are heartbroken over JoAnn’s passing. She was the nicest person ever. We were so lucky to have her in our lives and will miss her terribly.
Joe and family, very sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Please extend my sympathy to your father and brothers.
I am so sorry Dave and family, JoAnn was a part of a large family who cared for her. I wish I could attend but my husband is in ICU after major surgery so I need to be eith him. I will be thinking of your family this coming week.
I am so sorry to hear of Jo Ann’s passing. I know she will be missed by all the family. My heartfelt condolences to you all.
Dave and I are so very sorry to hear Joann has passed. She was always a friend to everyone in high school. God bless her and her dear family, She will certainly be missed.
What an incredible void has been left here on earth with Joann’s passing. Dave, Ben, Dan and Joe…..we are so very sad. Joann was such an amazing woman and heaven just got a lot sweeter with her in.it. Kurt, Erin and I have you all in our thoughts and prayers. Family was everything and you and your families were all so loved.
Jo grew up as a single child in a loving family. But she was a part and loved by many ER families. I have been connected to Jo for over 67 years and will miss a wonderful friend so much. Love you always Jo.
David and family, I am o sorry for your loss, Sheila and I send our deepest sympathy, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
John Scumaci Palm harbor Florida.
I am so very sorry for your family’s loss.
From the first time we met in the neighborhood in the early ’50s, Jo Ann always showed kindness, friendliness compassion and respect to us. She taught us much long before she ever became a teacher. Now, a new star in the sky!
It is with a great deal of heartfelt sadness that I pass along my condolences to Coach, the boys and entire family. I’m personally incapable of putting into words the loss we all are feeling right now, but I do know that heaven just got a big boost!!
David and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for all of you.
I was fortunate enough to be in JoAnne’s presence several times lately for ERHS class reunion meetings. What a dear person. I’m sure her family is devastated by this unexpected loss. I trust God will bless all who loved JoAnn..
I was fortunate to be with JoAnn on several occasions lately for class reunion meetings. What a dear, dear lady. God bless her and her entire family.
A wonderful always welcoming lady!
My thoughts go out to my friend Dave and the boys and families.
David, my prayers are with you and your family. I am so happy I was able to reconnect with Jo Ann on our reunion committee these past few years. She was truly a sweetheart who loved her family so much. I will miss her. God bless Jo Ann and your family.
She was a caring and wonderful woman. our thoughts and prayers go out to Dave, Ben, Dan, and Joseph
Dear Joanne, we will miss you and your sweet loving ways! I first met you in high school and remember the fun times we all had together! I am so happy that I last saw you at Christmas time and shared memories with you! Dave and family I am so saddened by your loss. I send you prayers and hope that your wonderful life together will sustain you in the coming days and years. Love, Betty
Dave, Benjamin, Daniel and Joseph: Despite the pain of loss, those who knew Jo Ann will forever share with you her legacy of kindness, generosity and love for others.
David, May your abiding faith in God carry you, your family, and friends through your loss of Jo Ann. You have my prayers and blessing.
To Dave and the Lanning family I’m sorry for your loss of your loving wife.
David & Family,
I am so sincerely saddened by Joanne’s passing. She was a wonderful woman and a great and happy part my family memories growing up.
I have wonderful memories of spending many family Xmas eve gatherings with Joanne and your family at Aunt Savia’s and Uncle Frank’s house! She will by truly missed. Love Lori Walton
Dave, my deepest sympathy to you and your family. She was a lovely & wonderful person, and a lifelong friend. May she rest in peace. Her gentle & warm spirit will live on in all those she touched.
Andrea and I want to express our most sincere condolences to Dave and his family during their time of grief. May the memories that you shared comfort you.
Such a sweet woman and fun filled. God Rest her soul and may she have peace and love.
Lanning family,
I am very sorry for your loss. Mrs. Lanning was always so kind and caring towards me. She was a gentle loving soul. May she rest in peace.
Extending my deep sympathy to the Lanning family. Have known both Jo and Dave since high school and my son Phil played baseball with the Lanning boys. Know how dedicated Jo was to family and the loss to her family must be great. Rest In Peace my dear.
Dave, Benjamin, Daniel and Joseph
JoAnn was my cheerleading buddy in high school and I’m grateful we were able to renew our friendship the past few years through our alumni committee get togethers. I enjoyed being her “limo” driver to the meetings because it gave us a little more time to chat about the paths our lives had taken, our children, grandchildren, and of course the “good old days”. I’m thankful that shortly before her surgery we were finally able to get together for the lunch we had promised each other. We had a great visit and enjoyed a yummy, gluten free lunch complete with chocolate chip cookie- which she insisted on preparing! I treasure and will remember the warm and heartfelt hug she gave me! I pray that you will be comforted by the many wonderful memories you shared through the years together.. My friend was a fearless warrior, a loving wife, proud mother and grandmother and a true friend to so many. I’m so sorry we had to say good bye.