Sarah J. "Joanie" Lytton

Sarah J. "Joanie" Lytton

ROSEVILLE: Sarah J. "Joanie" Lytton, 66, passed away at 6:49 p.m. Saturday, the 3rd of March 2012, at the New Lexington Care and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by family and friends after a long and stoic battle with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Diseases.

She was one of our nation's first baby boomers, born Thursday, the 3rd of January 1946 in Ravenna, Ohio, the daughter of Clarence and Myrtle Yester. After her parents passed away fairly early in her life, she was adopted by Charles and Sarah Ross, her Aunt and Uncle, of Zanesville.

Joanie attended Zanesville High School where she was active in various school programs. She worked for Essex Wire/United Technologies for nearly 28 years and won several attendance awards. She retired when she was diagnosed with Parkinson's in January of 1992. She also managed a convenience store and later a tavern in Roseville for several years and she and her husband ran their own business, the Country Kitchen restaurant in Zanesville for a period of time. She loved her family above all, enjoyed fishing and working outside and was a huge George Strait fan. She was one of those rare people you meet in life that, regardless of her circumstances, was nearly always happy and she truly never had a bad thought or ill word for anyone she met. Her family and friends were the light of her life and heaven is a better place now that she has taken a seat at the big table above. The Hospice and Core Staff at New Lexington Care/Rehab said they had "never seen such toughness in such a small lady" over the last days of Joanie's life. She was a fighter who fought to the end and is now at peace.

Joanie is survived by her husband of 44 years, Robert Lytton Jr. of Roseville whom she married Sunday, the 18th of February 1968; and her five children, David of Dover, Kim (Craig Martin) of Roseville, Kevin of Zanesville, Sheila of Junction City and Robert III (Tricia) of Zanesville. She is further survived by her brother, Don (Tammy) Yester of Zanesville, her brothers and sisters in law, Marilyn Lytton of Coshocton, Carol Campbell of Zanesville, Thomas (Cheryl) Lytton of West Union, WV, Steve (Bev) Lytton of Roseville, Betty Lytton of Ohio, and Lisa Altop of Roseville. Finally, she is survived by her 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; as well as special nieces, nephews, family and friends too numerous to count.

She was preceded in death by her parents, who passed away in 1969 and September 1988; her parents-in-law who died in June 1984 and September 2002; and her sister, Andrea who passed away in April 2004. Various beloved family, friends and in-laws crossed over ahead of her and she wholeheartedly mourned every one of them.

Friends may call from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday the 7th of March 2012 at the Snouffer Funeral Home, 33 South Main Street, Roseville, Ohio 43777. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, the 8th of March 2012 at Snouffer Funeral Home with Joanie's nephew, Pastor Dale Campbell officiating. Burial will follow at Rosehill Cemetery in Roseville, Ohio.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the New Lexington Care and Rehabilitation Center and the Fairhope Hospice of Lancaster for the care they gave to Joanie in the last years, (and particularly the last week) of her life on earth.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation of Central Ohio, 1380 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43213 in Joanie's memory.

To send a note of condolence to the Lytton family go to www.snoufferfuneralhome.com, find us on facebook or call our caring staff at 697-7777.