Obituary
Joanne M. Doktor
Irondequoit: January 12, 2022. Joanne is survived by her husband of 63 years, Donald Doktor; children, Joseph (Marianne) Doktor, Bryan (Irene) Doktor, Julie (Robert) Updike, Jill (Thomas) Elliott, Michael (Wendy) Doktor; grandchildren, Nicholas Doktor, Daniel Doktor, Jennifer (Jeff) Mordaci, Christopher Doktor, Andrew Doktor, Robert (Casandra) Updike, Tyler Updike, Nicole Elliott, Tom Elliott, Jacob Elliott, Olivia Doktor & Sophie Doktor; 4 great-grandchildren.
Joanne's life story will be shared during her visitation at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane (Between 390 & Long Pond Rd.) on Thursday, January 20th from 3-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Compass Care, 2024 West Henrietta Rd Suite 6D Rochester, NY 14623.
Joanne's Life Story
Joanne was born October 2, 1937 in Buffalo NY to Joseph and Amelia Ogarek. She was an only child. Her father was a conductor on the railroad.
Joanne attended Mount Mercy Academy for high school and completed 1 year of college at D'Youville. After her studies she worked for United Airlines in reservations.
It wasn't long before she met her love and soon to be husband, Donald. They met on the beach and were married on May 30, 1958.
Joanne and Don lived in Buffalo together with Joanne's parents as the family grew.
The oldest son Joe came along the next year on October 1 - a birthday present just 1 day before her own birthday. It would be a shared celebration for the rest of her life.
Soon after followed son Bryan the next year and daughter Julie the year after that. With 3 children ages 2,1 and newborn her arms were full and so was her heart. But more love and fun was to come: 4 years later would she have her second daughter Jill and another 3 years later son Michael to complete her family.
In 1969, Joanne and Don moved to Rochester with their 5 children and settled in Irondequoit. Joanne made friends with the neighbors on the street many of whom had big families as well. Her home was cozy and fully decorated in her very favorite color blue. She famously hung a sign in her kitchen of her home on Floral Drive that read: "I once had 5 theories on how to raise children and I now have 5 children and no theories".
In 1980 she and Don opened a bridal store in Henrietta, NY: Bridal Gallery. For the next 23 years she cared for numerous brides making their special day exactly that - special. Her skills as a seamstress were unmatched. She worked side by side with her daughter Jill for most of those years. The business required buying trips to New York City which made for fun as well allowing for a few visits to include Broadway shows or the Rockettes.
Joanne came to love traveling: Las Vegas with family, St. Croix with girlfriends, the Caribbean and Cape Cod as a summer getaway. She was the first to say "let's go".
All the while, her down time was often spent producing the most beautiful cross stich. Many given as gifts, while others adorn the walls of her home. Her talent for cross stitch, crochet and quilting and really most fine hand work was in a word... amazing.
Anyone who has a piece of her work has a piece of her. Her heart was in it all.
Joanne was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren whom she loved dearly. She was a staple at all her grandchildren's sporting events, plays, concerts. Everyone knew Joanne and Don in the stands. She was their biggest fan.
Joanne did everything to the fullest. When she decided to put hostas in her backyard she had to have a large selection of numerous beautiful varieties. More recently this became a love for day lilies with the same passion. When a specimen of her day lilies bloomed she was known to ask Don to go outside and admire it directly - not just look through the window. She so appreciated the beauty these flowers brought to the yard and anyone who saw them. A little blessing from a God who made beautiful things.
She shared her love of puzzles with her family making them a staple of every holiday gathering. It wasn't Christmas without a puzzle.
Joanne was up for anything: an outing, a shopping trip, a drive and certainly a party. She lived life fully. Her zest for life and love of family are hallmarks of who she was.
Irondequoit: January 12, 2022. Joanne is survived by her husband of 63 years, Donald Doktor; children, Joseph (Marianne) Doktor, Bryan (Irene) Doktor, Julie (Robert) Updike, Jill (Thomas) Elliott, Michael (Wendy) Doktor; grandchildren, Nicholas Doktor, Daniel Doktor, Jennifer (Jeff) Mordaci, Christopher Doktor, Andrew Doktor, Robert (Casandra) Updike, Tyler Updike, Nicole Elliott, Tom Elliott, Jacob Elliott, Olivia Doktor & Sophie Doktor; 4 great-grandchildren.
Joanne's life story will be shared during her visitation at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane (Between 390 & Long Pond Rd.) on Thursday, January 20th from 3-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Compass Care, 2024 West Henrietta Rd Suite 6D Rochester, NY 14623.
Joanne's Life Story
Joanne was born October 2, 1937 in Buffalo NY to Joseph and Amelia Ogarek. She was an only child. Her father was a conductor on the railroad.
Joanne attended Mount Mercy Academy for high school and completed 1 year of college at D'Youville. After her studies she worked for United Airlines in reservations.
It wasn't long before she met her love and soon to be husband, Donald. They met on the beach and were married on May 30, 1958.
Joanne and Don lived in Buffalo together with Joanne's parents as the family grew.
The oldest son Joe came along the next year on October 1 - a birthday present just 1 day before her own birthday. It would be a shared celebration for the rest of her life.
Soon after followed son Bryan the next year and daughter Julie the year after that. With 3 children ages 2,1 and newborn her arms were full and so was her heart. But more love and fun was to come: 4 years later would she have her second daughter Jill and another 3 years later son Michael to complete her family.
In 1969, Joanne and Don moved to Rochester with their 5 children and settled in Irondequoit. Joanne made friends with the neighbors on the street many of whom had big families as well. Her home was cozy and fully decorated in her very favorite color blue. She famously hung a sign in her kitchen of her home on Floral Drive that read: "I once had 5 theories on how to raise children and I now have 5 children and no theories".
In 1980 she and Don opened a bridal store in Henrietta, NY: Bridal Gallery. For the next 23 years she cared for numerous brides making their special day exactly that - special. Her skills as a seamstress were unmatched. She worked side by side with her daughter Jill for most of those years. The business required buying trips to New York City which made for fun as well allowing for a few visits to include Broadway shows or the Rockettes.
Joanne came to love traveling: Las Vegas with family, St. Croix with girlfriends, the Caribbean and Cape Cod as a summer getaway. She was the first to say "let's go".
All the while, her down time was often spent producing the most beautiful cross stich. Many given as gifts, while others adorn the walls of her home. Her talent for cross stitch, crochet and quilting and really most fine hand work was in a word... amazing.
Anyone who has a piece of her work has a piece of her. Her heart was in it all.
Joanne was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren whom she loved dearly. She was a staple at all her grandchildren's sporting events, plays, concerts. Everyone knew Joanne and Don in the stands. She was their biggest fan.
Joanne did everything to the fullest. When she decided to put hostas in her backyard she had to have a large selection of numerous beautiful varieties. More recently this became a love for day lilies with the same passion. When a specimen of her day lilies bloomed she was known to ask Don to go outside and admire it directly - not just look through the window. She so appreciated the beauty these flowers brought to the yard and anyone who saw them. A little blessing from a God who made beautiful things.
She shared her love of puzzles with her family making them a staple of every holiday gathering. It wasn't Christmas without a puzzle.
Joanne was up for anything: an outing, a shopping trip, a drive and certainly a party. She lived life fully. Her zest for life and love of family are hallmarks of who she was.
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