Obituary of Joanne P. Lather

It is with great sadness that the family of Joanne P. Lather, Honesdale, PA, announce her passing. Joanne lost her courageous battle with cancer on July 3, 2023, surrounded by her family. Born in Huntington, Long Island, "Jo" would have turned 60 on July 6, 2023. She was a loving, strong, independent mother of 3 girls and grandmother of 4. Jo enjoyed tending to her flowers and plants, working on her home, and caring for her grandson, Eydn. She loved cooking, being with family and friends, the great outdoors, camping, kayaking, the ocean, and the beach. Prior to becoming ill, Joanne thoroughly enjoyed working at North Penn Legal Services in the Wayne County Courthouse. She is survived by her parents, Phyllis and Carl Matechak, Hawley, PA; sister Mary Jean (and Jim) Owens, High Falls, NY; 3 brothers, James Lather, Waymart; Phil Lather, Beach Lake; and Bill Lather, Hawley; 3 daughters, Christie Fairchild, Cave Junction, OR; Tasia Wentzell, Waymart; and Desiree (and Nathan) Saar, Vandling. She is also survived by 2 grandsons (Eydn and Lynx), 2 granddaughters (Nysa and Zahra), maternal aunt Priscilla Andrewski (and Kevin Ledwith), Narrowsburg, NY; maternal uncle Phil Yacino, Narrowsburg, NY; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Joanne was predeceased by her father, William Lather, Greenlawn, NY; maternal aunt Lillian Clemett, Virginia Beach, VA; cousin Lillian Petche; and grandparents. Family and friends may pay their respects on Friday, July 7, 2023 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 107 7th Street, Honesdale, PA. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, with cremation to follow. In addition to sending flowers, donations can be made to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation or the American Cancer Society. The family would like to extend their appreciation to Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home, Honesdale for coordinating the arrangements at the Lutheran Church.