July 30, 2013

Dear Kenneth and Family,
I was so shocked yesterday to learn of Joanne’s passing.  I saw her at the East Pete Retired Teachers lunch in May.  We had great laughs over some of the stories from when we taught together at East Pete School.  She was very happy and excited about the cruise she was taking to Bermuda with ‘the girls.’  It was always fun to work with Joanne.  I will miss her and am glad to have such happy memories of our working together.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sharon Whittle

Dear Ken, Debbie and Lisa,

I was so saddened and shocked to read of Joanne’s death. I am grateful, however, that you were all together and could be supportive to one another. Joanne and I really enjoyed knowing one another from Brecht School days onward, sharing Debbie’s and Carolyn’s friendship and Manheim Township educational experiences. Your family was wonderful, and I felt we shared many common goals for our children.

Just know I send my deepest sympathy to you all and will keep you close in my thoughts and prayers as you make this tremendous life change in the days ahead.

Fondly,
Deborah (Shertzer) Everett
Oak Bluffs, MA

Dear Ken and Family, So sorry to learn of Joanne’s untimely passing.  I’ve known her since she was my teacher at Buehrle Elementary School.  She always had an infectious laugh and beautiful smile.  It was always nice to see you as you walked in our neighborhood.  May God grant you all comfort and peace in your time of sorrow.  I don’t know if this will help but a friend shared this with me at the passing of my beloved Mother.  "God is the Master Weaver and only He knows when the Tapestry is complete."

Carol(Whitaker)Byers

Dear Friends,

Having learned of the loss of the love of your life, mother, grandmother…, two quotes come to mind:  "When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."  –Kahlil Gibran    "What we have once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us."  –Helen Keller

One could not ask for better neighbors than Kenneth, Joanne, Lisa, and Debra.

May you find comfort in the numerous ways you enhanced the life and well-being of a truly precious person.

Warmest regards…
Mel Thomas

Dear Mattern Family,  Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the death of Joanne.  May the peace and strength of our Lord bring you comfort and May your memories of Joanne bring you joy.

With deepest sympathy,
Brian and Annie Workman (longtime member of women’s bible study and servant with Lisa at LPC in Langhorne, PA)

Dear Ken, Lisa, and Debbie,  I was so saddened to read of Joanne’s passing.  She was a gracious, fun-loving, and beautiful person!  I learned so much from working with Joanne while teaching the Developmental First Grade at East Pete. Elementary.  I also enjoyed having Lisa with me while she completed course work in college.  Joanne was so proud of her daughters, sons-in-laws, and grandchildren!   She will be greatly missed! 
Ann Boylan

Mr Mattern Debbie and Lisa

I was shocked to hear about your wife and Mother. She was one more link to my parents who is now gone. I remember afternoons at Skyline visits at Highland and shared love of PennState football. She was sharing her birthday celebration with all of you and doing what she wanted to do. Our love to all of you.
Marijean Booske Long and family and John Booske

Dear Ken and family,
I worked with Joanne as the Reading Supervisor at Hempfield School District.  She was so helpful to me when I moved from secondary to elementary education.  I could count on Joanne for anything.  She loved students and worked hard to get them to read and enjoy reading.  Kindness came naturally to her.  You have my sincere sympathies for losing such a wonderful person in your family.
Lyn Schmid

Dear Ken and your family,
There are no words to express our grief on hearing of the loss of Joanne. She was a beautiful person, always with a smile and warm greeting. We are so sorry and send our deepest sympathies to all of you. We’ll keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
With love and sympathy,
Harry and Eileen Flick

Dear Kenneth & family,

I was shocked to read of Joanne’s passing.  She was a wonderful, always happy person. I taught 3rd. grade in the room next to her and I remember her as always smiling or laughing.  Her laugh was infectious.  She will be surely missed.

Dee Klemer