Joanne Thurston

Joanne Thurston, age 82, formerly of 127 Forest Avenue, Salamanca, New York died Wednesday evening, May 6, 2009 at Heritage Green Health Care Center, Greenhurst, New York.

Born on February 15, 1927 in Olean, New York daughter of the late Elmer and Marian Timblin Reynolds. She was married on February 9, 1945 to Mr. Lawrence Thurston who predeceased her on February 4, 2005.

Mrs. Thurston was a member of The First Baptist Church, Salamanca, New York and a former member of the Olean Baptist Church. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She enjoyed cooking, bird watching, music, attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and sharing her Christian faith.

Surviving are: 4 sons, Ret. Col. David (Kathy) Thurston, Bellview, Illinois, Dale Thurston, Pennsylvania, John (Lisbeth) Thurston, Lakeland, Florida, Larry Thurston, Salamanca, New York; 2 daughters, Linda (David) Chambers, Salamanca, New York, Deborah (Ken) Smith, Little Valley, New York; 9 grandchildren, Kelley (Jack) Harnett, Missouri, Melanie (Vincent) Leonard, Jamestown, New York, David Chambers, Salamanca, New York, Jordan Smith, Buffalo, New York, Tyler Smith, Jamestown, New York, Joshua Smith, Little Valley, New York, Erin (Gamal) Hussein, Lakeland, Florida, Barbara (Julio) Andrades, Dundee, Florida, Kimberly Thurston, Lakeland, Florida; 5 great grandchildren, Emily and Bekah Hartnett, both of Missouri, Allison Chambers Leonard, Ryan Christopher Chambers Leonard, both of Jamestown, New York, Isabel Grace Andrades, Dundee, Florida; a brother, Jerry (Vivian) Reynolds, Allegany, New York; several nieces and nephews.

There will be a memorial visitation on Saturday at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York from 10 – 11 A.M. at which time a memorial service will be held with Chaplain Gerald Haglund of the Heritage Green Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing officiating.

Burial will be in Crawford Cemetery, Salamanca, New York at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

E-condolences can be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com.