Joanne A. Burtch Cerow

Cerow, Joanne Burtch, Clayton, N.Y. Age 93 Joanne passed away peacefully at Samaritan Keep Home in Watertown with family by her side on October 16, 2014.

Joanne was born in Alexandria Bay, N.Y. on July 29, 1921, the eldest daughter of Chauncey and Myrtle Senecal Burtch. She was predeceased by her brother Lewis P. Burtch. She is survived by her sisters Teresa Bresnahan (Michael) and Helen Brennan, as well as many nieces and nephews. Joanne was the mother of five, Cynthia Cwynar (Donald), Carpentersville, IL, Brian (Beverly) Penn Yan, NY, Sylvia Hungerford (James), Webster, NY, Bruce (Michelle), and Albert "Audie" (Laura), of Clayton. She was the loving grandmother of 7 and great grandmother of 8. Joanne graduated from Alexandria Bay High School, where she was a member of the women's championship basketball team in 1939, and a member of the chorus. She held lead roles in many musicals, such as the Mikado, under the direction of Margaret Todd. She sang at the Monticello Hotel in Alexandria Bay and on the radio in Ogdensburg, where she received fan mail and song requests.

After high school, she had a brief stint with Stromberg Carlson in Rochester, NY during the war years.

Joanne was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, Post 821, where she was past president, a member of the Clayton River Chorus, and she served as the chairperson of the first annual Christmas parade in Clayton. Joanne enjoyed her Monday night bowling league, Friday night bridge club, the Toronto Maple Leafs, curling up with a good movie on TV with her cats on her lap, jigsaw and crossword puzzles, Scrabble, a profound love of the St. Lawrence River and spending time with family.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, October 20, at 11AM at St. Mary's Church, Clayton with Rev. Arthur LaBaff, pastor, officiating, with burial at the convenience of the family in St. Cyril's Cemetery, Alexandria Bay, NY. There will be no calling hours. Funeral arrangements are with the Cummings Funeral Service, Inc. in Clayton, NY. Online condolences may be made at . Donations in her memory can be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 521 James Street, Clayton, NY 13624, St. Cyril's Church, 17 Rock St. or River Hospital, 4 Fuller St., both in Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, or a charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank to nurturing and attentive staff at Samaritan Keep, Floor 6 for the wonderful care received.

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