Joanne M. Love

Joanne (Lovey) M. Love, R.N., 78, of Lavelle, passed away Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at the Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital in Coal Township.

She was born at Ashland State Hospital to the late Charles A and Mary (Longer) Birster.  At the age of 3 years her mother passed and Joanne then moved to Locustdale with her paternal grandparents, Charles M and Veronica M (Schneider) Birster.  Maternal grandparents were William and Lena Longer of Locustdale who owned and operated the company store in the community.

Joanne graduated from Ashland Area Joint High School in 1960 and proceeded to enter nurses’ training at Clara Maass School of Nursing in Belleville, NJ and graduated in class of 1963.   Upon graduating from nursing school, she began her employment at Ashland State General Hospital starting in Pediatrics, then in Labor and Delivery, and finally in the Operating Room until her retirement.  In addition to being a nurse, she and her husband, Donald, operated Love’s General Store in Lavelle where she not only pumped gasoline and stocked shelves, but was also the waitress and cook at the small counter restaurant until its closing.

She was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Parish of Ashland.

LOVEY was an exceedingly kind, generous, and dedicated mother to her children and grandchildren. Her ability to preserve fruits in the form of jam, canning of chow chow or pickles or whatever else was grown in the garden that needed to be preserved will be remembered by many. The many times she and her grandchildren made cookies together (Lovey had to eat the raw dough as a “taste tester”) was a great way to bond with the generation. The Christmas cookies that were baked and placed on the bench or table in the front of her home were fair game to all who visited.  She also used her knowledge, skill, and kindheartedness to assist countless friends and neighbors throughout her life.  Many of her fellow workers remember her dedication, generosity, and hospitality.

Survivors include:

Husband:  Donald Love, married 53 years

Daughter:  Kathy Love and fiancée Mihai Radu, New York

Son: Jeff Love and wife Beth, Lavelle

Two Grandchildren: Jason and Jamie Love

Brother: C. Kenneth Birster and wife Joann, Locustdale

Paternal half siblings; Rodger, and Patrick Birster and wife Loretta Murphy, Annie Beury and husband Herman all of Ashland.

Sister-in-law, Violet Heyer and husband Eugene

And nieces and nephews who will recall summer vacation at the Outer Banks and the picnics.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to charities of your choice.

Relatives and friends will be invited to a memorial service at a

later date.  Visit www.Fritzfuneralhome.com.  The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, is in charge of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joanne M. Love, please visit our floral store.