Joanne Centola

1947 - 2021

Old Lyme - Joanne Trawicke Centola, 73, of Old Lyme, passed Feb. 24, 2021, due to complications from heart failure. Born June 3, 1947 in Waterbury, Joanne was the only child of the late John D. and Anna B. Trawicke.

She grew up in Meriden and spent her summers on Rogers Lake in Old Lyme. While attending Maloney High School, Joanne met the love of her life and husband of more than 40 years, the late Ralph P. Centola. Joanne attended the University of Connecticut and graduated in 1968, with a degree in education. Immediately after graduation, Joanne taught typing and accounting at several Connecticut public schools before turning her attention to raising her family.

She was a devoted mother to her children, Mark Q. Centola and Lisa A. Centola, shepherding them to myriad activities and commitments, and always encouraging their pursuits with love and positivity. As her children grew, Joanne poured herself into volunteering for her church, the Church of St. Patrick in Farmington and other organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity. Joanne always loved living on Rogers Lake and moved there full-time in 2005. To her family, she was affectionately known as "Lake Girl." She enjoyed boating, water skiing and ice skating when she was younger and boat rides, paddle boarding and even tubing with her grandchildren as she got older.

As a widow, Joanne continued to be an independent, active and adventurous woman traveling the world, enjoying theater productions in Connecticut and NYC and playing cards and sports with her friends. She was an active member and leader in Old Saybrook's Shoreline Ladies Golf League, and until recently, loved to play golf as much as possible. Joanne also enjoyed volunteering at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc. center in Old Lyme.

Joanne is survived by her son Mark Q. Centola; and her daughter Lisa A. Centola, Lisa's husband Kurt van Heiningen and her grandchildren, Alma and Beckett van Heiningen.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 5, at Christ the King Church, One McCurdy Road, Old Lyme, with burial services at Walnut Grove Cemetery, 817 Colony Road, Meriden, to follow. Due to COVID-19, there will be no public calling hours. Instead, the family plans to hold a celebration of Joanne's life this summer at the lake. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to High Hopes. Please visit www.neilanfuneralhome to leave an online condolence for the Centola family.