Joan E. McCaffrey

Joan E. McCaffrey Age 77 Passed away in her sleep early on the morning of December 25th, 2024, one day shy of her 78th birthday, after a sixteen-and-a-half-year battle with metastatic breast cancer. She made it this far by sheer force of will. She wanted to be there for all the things-the birthdays, the graduations, the soccer games, the holidays, all of it. We believe she’ll be able to see all those things, just in a different way now. Preceded in death by her parent’s, Forrest and Regina Pettit, and sister, Janet Poluga. Survived by George, her loving husband of 56 years, sons James (Angela) Mooney, Michael (Lorie) McCaffrey, and Steven (Aimee) McCaffrey. Grandchildren – Elise (TJ), Rachel, Dylan, Corrine (Gabriel), Sami, Clay, Declan, Tanner, Ellie, and Nick. Great grandchildren – Marley, Lila, Eleanor, and Gus. Siblings – Regina Ann (Richard) Reichley and Dale (Anna) Pettit. Joan worked as a bank teller and a dental receptionist. Known to family and close friends as the “Blankie Lady.” She crocheted blankets for newborns of family and close friends. The last of which was completed (thanks to Lorie) and delivered in November. She ran the track and field program for Bishop Liebold Elementary School in the early 80’s and was active in the Archbishop Alter High School booster association in the late 80’s and early 90’s. After being married to George for 35+ years and thinking she knew him quite well, he shocked her with the announcement he wanted to buy an RV. Now, keep in mind, this was a woman whose idea of camping involved a hotel room and a continental breakfast, so this came as quite a surprise. The first foray into RVing involved towing a fifth-wheel that Joan and Hobbes (the cat) did not view as an enjoyable experience. After 13 months, the next iteration was a 40-foot diesel-pusher motorhome with a car in tow. For the next eight years, the motorhome served as home base for winters in Florida, Texas, and Arizona. Along the way, Joan learned new hobbies, such as bowl turning, stained glass, and quilting/embroidery (which was the real hobby love of her life). The RV life led to many new friends and experiences, which she begrudgingly admitted was worth the exorbitant amount of money and time away from Ohio. Eventually, the motorhome was sold and a park model purchased in Voyager R V resort. This occurred because Joan’s quilting toys and George’s telescopes outgrew the motorhome and became difficult to transport back and forth from AZ to OH. The quilting communities that she became involved with during the winter travels, including the Voyager RV Resort quilting groups and Nimble Fingers in Arizona, and the Material Girls when in Ohio, served to grow her skills and love for quilting. She always said that she who dies with the most fabric wins. Well, she may not be the winner, but top ten for sure! George will have a big fabric/thread sale sometime in the future. Being involved with the PRG (Pink Ribbon Good – breast cancer support group), Joan formed many new friendships with those involved in the organization. And we need to mention the fantastic neighbors of the Anniversary Series homes and great friends she made all over the USA. She dearly loved you all! In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Ohio Hospice or The National Breast Cancer Foundation. Visitation on January 24th, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 9579 Yankee Rd., Springboro, OH 45066. Funeral Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church on January 25th, 2025 at 10:00 AM. Arrangements entrusted to Tobias Funeral Home. www.tobiasfuneralhomes.com.