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Joanne Vernon Kottke, 89, passed away peacefully Aug. 7, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Sad as this loss is, we are comforted to know she has been made whole in heaven. Joanne was born Jan. 21, 1932, to John and Grace Lawrence of Brooklyn, New York.

As a young girl, her family moved to Pelham, New York where she lived most of her life. She married Daniel Kottke in 1952 and devoted her time to her three children, her family, church, and community. Always graceful and elegant, Joanne had a servant’s heart and was a gentle, kind woman, a friend to many. Her passion for volunteerism in her Pelham community was always apparent, keeping her very involved with her church, Huguenot Presbyterian, the local PTA, the Junior League, the International Garden Club, and the United Way, among others.

After moving to Essex in 1995, she made many new friends through her time spent volunteering at the Essex Historical Society, the Women’s Exchange, and the Connecticut River Museum. As a woman of strong faith, she was very active in the First Congregational Church of Essex, always willing to help with various activities. Joanne will be remembered with love for her kindness to others, her generous spirit, and her sweet disposition. She is dearly missed.

Joanne was predeceased by her husband Dan, who passed away in 2008. She is survived by her sister June Palmer of Savannah, Georgia, her son Daniel Kottke of Palo Alto, California, her daughter Nancy and son-in-law Mark Walters of San Diego, California, her daughter Lauren and son-in-law Robert Caiazzo of Essex, and by seven loving grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Joanne is tentatively scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23, at the First Congregational Church of Essex. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joanne’s name may be made to the First Congregational Church of Essex or to the Essex Community Fund. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family by visiting www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements are by the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.