Joanne Elizabeth McKenna Jansch

1948 ~ 2013

Joanne Elizabeth Jansch (nee McKenna) passed away on June 14, 2013 in Provo, UT. She was born on March 18, 1948 in Brooklyn, NY to Stansbury and Henrietta (nee Carrai) McKenna. Joanne was raised in Massapequa and graduated from Massapequa High School in 1966.

She shared her life with her husband, Ricky Jansch. They were together 40 years at the time of her passing. Many of those years, they resided in Ronkonkoma, NY. They raised two children, Regina and Michael. They owned three candy stores and for a while Joanne was partners in a dinner theater company, Murder 4 U where she wrote and directed audience participation plays. She was an avid Scrabble player and she loved to sing and laugh.

She is survived by her husband, Ricky Jansch of Provo; a daughter, Gina (Dan) Seymour of Decatur, GA, and their children, Lee, Tara and Emilia Markey; a son, Michael (Eryn) Rubino of West Jordan, UT, and their children, Bobby and Nathan Rubino, and Kaitlyn Jones; a sister, Patricia (George Okrent) Goodwin of Rochester, NY; and a nephew, Richard (Kristin) McKenna Jr. of Perry Hall, MD, and their children, Richard III, Kelsie, and Karianne. Diana Monteforte, Rose Smedberg, and Marlene Lowenhaupt were also very dear friends during Joanne’s lifetime. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers, Richard and Joanne did not wish to have a funeral but she wanted us to gather together to share memories and laughter. A celebration of life was held on June 18, 2013 at her son’s home.

If you would like to make a donation to honor Joanne, we recommend the American Diabetes Association or any charity that is near to your heart.