MOUNT CARMEL — Joanne Kijewski, 63, of 538 W. Second St., concluded her journey in this life Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022.

She was born Nov. 23, 1958, a daughter of Jean Long, of Connorsville, who survives her in death.

Joanne attended Mount Carmel Area High School, where she graduated in 1977.

She married the love of her life, David Kijewski, Jan. 20, 1979, at the First United Methodist Church, in Mount Carmel, and were married for 43 years. Their forever-wedding song is "I Can't Help Falling in Love," by Elvis Presley.

Joanne worked at Care Givers of America and had a very special client named JoJo.

She was a member of Divine Redeemer Church, in Mount Carmel.

Joanne will be devastatingly missed. She was a doting mother and grandmother. Whenever she was able to she'd boast about her children and her grandchildren's accomplishments. She loved her grandkids Danny, David, Sullivan and Magnolia more than anything else in this world.

I'm sure if you're from town you would have bumped into Joanne. She was always running around town doing errands for her loved ones. Joanne was always there to lend a helping hand.

She was needed more than she probably ever knew by every member of her family. Joanne was a giver, a helper, a lover and sometimes a "fighter." Her generosity, kindness and desire to lend a helping hand was indescribable. There will be a void unfillable now that she's gone.

Along with spending time with her husband, Joanne really enjoyed shopping, especially at the local stores. She loved hanging out with her daughters and her friends, whether that was on her daughter's deck or her daughter's shop, swinging by to chat on her friend's porch, stopping by her friend's bakery or going to her friend's house to watch their favorite programs. But her absolute favorite was to watch her grandchildren participate in sporting events.

Surviving are her beloved mother, Jean Long; her devoted husband, David Kijewski; Joanne's oldest daughter, Denise Kijewski and her partner, Ed Mikulski and their son, Danny; her daughter, Lisa Kijewski-Womer and her husband, Paul, and their three children, David, Sullivan and Magnolia.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Bobby and Stevie Long; and an aunt and uncle, Dot Laczkowski and husband, Butch.

We loved her and our hearts are broken.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday with Father Bernard Wamayose, A.J., officiating at the C.J. Lucas Funeral Home Inc., 27 N. Vine St., Mount Carmel, C.J. Lucas IV, supervisor. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery, Elysburg. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service in the funeral home.