1956
Joanne
2014
Joanne Dewitt
November 14, 1956 — June 2, 2014
Marion-Joanne Elaine DeWitt won her 6 year battle with Ovarian Cancer at 11 PM on June 2, 2014. Joanne was born in Springfield, MA on November 14, 1956 to George L. Chretien Sr. and Shirley D. Roy. She was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Chicopee. She graduated from Chicopee Comprehensive High School in 1974, and attended Westfield State College before moving to Long Beach, California for several years. She held positions in the business office at BJ Wholesales Clubs for 17 years until becoming VP of DeWitt Transportation in Marion, IL. A lifelong Boston Bruins fan, she rooted for them from her hospice bed in this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs. She loved playing volleyball and rooting for the Red Sox. Joanne enjoyed making her yard a sanctuary for birds. She and her family made their 12 acre property a paradise for the area cardinals, finches, buntings, woodpeckers and others, and spent countless hours enjoying their antics.
Through her battle with her deadly disease, Joanne became a strong advocate for Ovarian Cancer Awareness; and she counseled many other women regarding the perils and pitfalls of the cancer experience. Joanne learned to live one day at a time and live it to its fullest. She had a sense of what was truly important in life.
Preceding her in death is her father, George L Chretien Sr. and maternal grandmother, Mary T Roy both of Chicopee; paternal grandmother, Mary A. Chretien of South Hadley, MA; and her brother-in-law, James S. DeWitt of Marion.
Joanne will be deeply missed by many family and friends. Left to cherish her memory include the love of her life and husband, Timothy P. DeWitt of Marion; her mother, Shirley D. Chretien of Chicopee; daughter, Danielle N. Bergmann of Longmont, CO; step-son, Jonathon A. (Courtney)DeWitt and granddaughter, Victoria Ann of Fort Riley, KS. Other family includes two brothers, George (Donna) Chretien of FL and Gerald (Marlene) Chretien and one sister, Lynne A. Chretien of MA. Additional family members are her mother-in-law, Faith P. (Jim) Davis of Herrin, IL; father-in-law, Lynn A. DeWitt of Marion; brother-in-law, Thomas (Mia) DeWitt of Wichita, KS and Michael L. DeWitt of Marion.
She leaves innumerable adoring aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews from across the country. Sadly, she leaves her beloved tabby cat, Rex and Siberian Husky, Sci.
Joanne’s affable demeanor and infectious smile quickly earned her many friends in Southern Illinois, many of whom visited her often and prepared meals for her and her beleaguered family in the last few months. Joanne was admired as a uniquely charismatic and tenacious lady by those who came in contact with her at Barnes Jewish Memorial Hospital including her physicians, nurses, and clerical staff.
A celebration of Joanne’s life will be held at Heartland Christian Church in Marion, on Saturday, June 7th at 11:00 AM. She will be transported to Chicopee for an additional celebration of life at St. Anne’s Church in Chicopee on Friday June 13, 2014 at 11:00 AM. Blue Funeral Home in Marion is assisting the family with arrangements.
Joanne’s family would like to express grateful appreciation to Hospice of Southern Illinois for their valuable help during Joanne’s last days. In lieu of flowers, Joanne and her family respectfully request donations be made at ovariancancer.org or to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at Blue Funeral Home/ 1704 N. Court St/ Marion, IL 62959.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joanne Dewitt, please visit our flower store.
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Sunday, July 6, 2014
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Heartland Christian Church
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