JoAnne Gambrill Blackwelder (Ruth), age 79, passed away peacefully at her home in Ocean City, New Jersey on October 26, 2021.
Born in Pottstown PA, she grew up in Merchantville, NJ. She attended Merchantville High School, Wilson Collage (BA English) and University of Wisconsin, Madison (MA English, PHD Candidate). She was a long-time resident of Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, before retiring to Ocean City in 2007. JoAnne was a writer, a poet, a musician, a choir master, a typesetter, and an entrepreneur. She was a beloved friend, mother, and role model. Her kindness, generosity, sound advice, and annual Christmas Party will be sorely missed by many.
She is survived by her two daughters, Elizabeth Blackwelder-Bronzino and Sarah Blackwelder van Haastert, her sister Lucille Gambrill Parsell and her 5 grandchildren, Leeza, Aidan, Dominic, Jasper, and Stella.
A celebration in thanksgiving of her life will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 2998 Bay Avenue, Ocean City, NJ, at 3:00 pm on November 12, 2021. A Requiem Mass will be performed in her honor at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 199 Carroll Street, Brooklyn, NY at 7:00 pm on December 3rd.
Memorials may be given in her name to the Cape Shore Chorale. PO Box 74, Marmots, NJ, 08223. http://www.capeshorechorale.org/
For condolences to the family, visit www.godfreyfuneralhome.com
