Joanne Lawrence Root

1924 - 2016

Joanne Lawrence Root

NORWALK: Joanne Lawrence Root, 91, died May 22, 2016, at Norwalk Memorial Home, after a brief illness.

She was born June 13, 1924, in New London, Ohio, the daughter of the late William Richard and Violet Louise Fink Lawrence. An avid horsewoman in her teens, she was a 1942 graduate of New London High School and a 1946 graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, where she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority and earned a bachelor's degree in English.

She moved to Plymouth and began her teaching career at Plymouth High School. She met and married the love of her life, Thomas F. Root, in 1948. They lived in Plymouth until 2007, when they moved to Norwalk.

She taught English at Plymouth High School and, later, at Pioneer Joint Vocational School in Shelby, until her retirement in 1984. Raised in the First Methodist Church, New London - where her mother was the organist - Mrs. Root joined First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Plymouth, in 1948, and remained an active member until her death. She was a founding member of the Plymouth Area Historical Society and served on the board of trustees for many years. Up to several months ago, she served as a regular volunteer in the Plymouth Heritage Center Museum, and served as a representative of the Society to the Firelands Historical Society.

In later years, Mrs. Root used an iPad to follow her children and grandchildren on Facebook, and she enjoyed using the Pandora music service to listen to Glenn Miller. Nevertheless, she remained a prodigious letter writer, keeping in constant touch with nieces and nephews, her college roommate, her cousins, and her childhood best friend. She is survived by her loving family, including her husband, Thomas F. Root; her daughter Susan Root Moore of Plymouth, and three sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas L. and Kathy G. Root of Norwalk, Steven C. Root and Karen Ebel of New London, New Hampshire, and William Todd and Cherise Root of Hopkinton, Massachusetts; and grandchildren Thomas P.J. Root (Rachel), Leslie J.L. Root (Evan), Katharine C. Moore Veletean (Jason), Andrew E. Root, Travis S.C. Root, Elizabeth J. Moore and Elizabeth L. "Molly" Root. She was anticipating the arrival of her first great-grandchild in August. Mrs. Root was predeceased by her stepsister Judith Hauser Beatty, and her son-in-law, Timothy Joseph Moore.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 27, 2016, at the Secor Funeral Home in Plymouth, Ohio. A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 28, 2016 at First Lutheran Church, Plymouth, with Rev. Blanche Tyree officiating, Rev. David R. Root assisting. Memorial contributions can be made to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church or the Plymouth Area Historical Society. Online condolences can be made at www.secorfuneralhomes.com