Obituary for JoAnne Louise Farley (Loyer)
JoAnne Louise Loyer Farley, age 85, passed away on March 9, 2022 in Upper St. Clair, PA, after a long battle with Parkinson’s. She was born on Jan 3, 1937 in Toledo, Ohio, to William and Neva Loyer. Growing up, JoAnne helped in the family grocery store, Loyer’s Market. While attending Libby High School in Toledo, JoAnne played piano and pipe organ at church, sang in the choir, and sold pianos at Grinnell’s Music Store. After graduating, she enrolled at Bowling Green State University, where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. In 1958 she married, and soon after moved to Morenci, Michigan to pursue a teaching career. JoAnne taught home economics at Sand Creek and Waldron Schools, then switched to teaching art and music in the Chesterfield and Metamora school districts in Ohio. While raising two daughters and teaching, JoAnne returned to school and earned her Master’s Degree from Siena Heights College. She was honored to be awarded Teacher of the Year in the late 1970’s.
JoAnne loved to travel, especially to Europe. She was knowledgable about antiques, and took pride in her elegant home on Main Street, which was featured in Morenci’s first Christmas Home Tour. Always impeccably dressed, JoAnne had fine sewing skills, and created fabulous garments such as her sister Margaret’s prom dress, and outfits for her children. Raised Lutheran, she later attended The First Congregational United Church of Christ in Morenci, where for a time she directed the choir. Often, she painted pictures while listening to Barbara Streisand, and in summer JoAnne loved to drive the country roads picking wildflowers and asparagus. From 1980 to 1984 JoAnne served as Treasurer on the Morenci School Board. Then, for many years after she retired from teaching, JoAnne lived in Sylvania, Ohio, where she worked at the Chapman Art Gallery. In 2005, she moved to the Pittsburgh area.
JoAnne was preceded in death by her parents, William and Neva (Leech) Loyer; a brother, James Loyer and his wife, Maxine; and her son-in-law, Matthew Sevcik. She is survived by her two daughters: Christa McDowell (Patrick) of Morenci, and Lisa Sevcik of Sewickley, PA.; grandchildren Benjamin Farquhar, Parker Sevcik, Scott McDowell, and Ruby Sevcik; and great- granddaughter Elizabeth Farquhar. JoAnne also leaves behind her beloved sister, Margaret Koon, and her brother-in-law, C. E. (Sonny) Koon, of Upper St. Clair, PA, along with many close nieces and nephews, and their children. Additionally, dear friends such as Barbara Borton, Polly Stockwell, Bob and Mary Harris, Ann Sevcik, and Walter Chapman all played important roles in JoAnne’s life.
A celebration of JoAnne’s life will be held this spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to clearthoughtsfoundation.org, which funds research to cure diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
JoAnne loved to travel, especially to Europe. She was knowledgable about antiques, and took pride in her elegant home on Main Street, which was featured in Morenci’s first Christmas Home Tour. Always impeccably dressed, JoAnne had fine sewing skills, and created fabulous garments such as her sister Margaret’s prom dress, and outfits for her children. Raised Lutheran, she later attended The First Congregational United Church of Christ in Morenci, where for a time she directed the choir. Often, she painted pictures while listening to Barbara Streisand, and in summer JoAnne loved to drive the country roads picking wildflowers and asparagus. From 1980 to 1984 JoAnne served as Treasurer on the Morenci School Board. Then, for many years after she retired from teaching, JoAnne lived in Sylvania, Ohio, where she worked at the Chapman Art Gallery. In 2005, she moved to the Pittsburgh area.
JoAnne was preceded in death by her parents, William and Neva (Leech) Loyer; a brother, James Loyer and his wife, Maxine; and her son-in-law, Matthew Sevcik. She is survived by her two daughters: Christa McDowell (Patrick) of Morenci, and Lisa Sevcik of Sewickley, PA.; grandchildren Benjamin Farquhar, Parker Sevcik, Scott McDowell, and Ruby Sevcik; and great- granddaughter Elizabeth Farquhar. JoAnne also leaves behind her beloved sister, Margaret Koon, and her brother-in-law, C. E. (Sonny) Koon, of Upper St. Clair, PA, along with many close nieces and nephews, and their children. Additionally, dear friends such as Barbara Borton, Polly Stockwell, Bob and Mary Harris, Ann Sevcik, and Walter Chapman all played important roles in JoAnne’s life.
A celebration of JoAnne’s life will be held this spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to clearthoughtsfoundation.org, which funds research to cure diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.