Joanne Pauline Huntington

Born Nov. 19, 1928, in Jamestown, N.Y., to Paul and Anne (McGinn) Atwood, she was raised in rural Randolph, N.Y.

In high school, Joanne was lovingly called “Irish” or “Red.” As we’ve learned from her schoolmates over the years, she was a feisty redhead with that Irish twinkle in her eyes. She attended a year of training in art at Buffalo State College. This is when she started dating the love of her life, Charles Burdette Huntington (surviving). They began dating in January, got engaged in February, and were married on Aug. 30, 1947 – a love affair lasting over 70 years.

Chuck and Joanne built a house (and home) together outside of Little Valley, N.Y., where they raised their four children: Jim (Janet) Huntington of Randolph, N.Y., Jackie Huntington of Lincoln, Neb., Judy (Bill) MacMillan of Salamanca, N.Y., and Chris (Terry) Stark of Salamanca, N.Y. It has been a home filled with love, shared also with nine grandchildren, 19 plus great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and close friends.

Joanne loved people and socializing. She retired from Cattaraugus County B.O.C.E.S. in 1986, where she worked as the circulation manager. She was a past president of the Salamanca Hospital Auxiliary, past member of the Little Valley Library Board, the Interfaith Caregivers, the Little Valley Senior Citizens, Garden Club and the Red Hatters. Joanne also enjoyed assisting with the Catt./LV kindergarten screening process for several years. She enjoyed traveling, sewing, knitting and was an avid reader.

Joanne was predeceased by her parents; brother, James Atwood; and two brothers-in-law: Joseph Huntington and William Huntington. Surviving besides her husband, Chuck, four children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, are her sisters-in-law: Kay Atwood, Wilma (Joe) Huntington, Martha (Bill) Huntington and Helen Huntington; as well as brother-in-law, Robert Huntington.

A memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, at Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church in Salamanca, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Little Valley Fire Department, or the Little Valley Library or the activities department at The Pines in Olean.

As we’ve heard from many friends and family, her shining smile and infectious laugh is what we will remember most. A special thanks to the Pines in Olean for taking such good care of our mom and wife for the past year.

Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Mentley Funeral Home, 411 Rock City St., Little Valley, NY 14755.