Joan Mary Bebo

Born February 23, 1936, in Barre, Vermont, she worked over twenty years as the secretary to the registrar of Norwich University, served as a chambermaid at Smugglers Notch in Jeffersonville, Vermont and is commonly remembered as the “The Pretzel Lady” of Hot Sam’s in Lynchburg. She later worked in food preparation management at Chick-Fil-A. Joan also took great pride in managing multiple farms while living in Vermont and would always note that she did so while raising six children.

After retirement, Joan enjoyed spending time with family at Smith Mountain Lake, attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, sharing family recipes, going on road trips to Maine, playing card games, and talking daily on the phone with her best friend, Charmaine. A trusted friend and mother figure to many, she always made sure to end her phone calls with “I love you” and assigned hugs and kisses to the entire household on the other end of the line.

While her work ethic, grit, and determination were unmatched, her greatest accomplishments and joys in life were in her ever-growing family. A longtime member of Thomas Road Baptist Church, Joan was the proud wife of the late Terry F. Bebo for over 41 years and is survived by her twin brother, John Tassie (Jan) of Barre, Vermont; her children, Liz Cote (Kris) of Chazy, New York, Joe Genero (Jan) of Midlothian, Virginia, Karen Marshall (Dwayne) of Lynchburg, Virginia, and Pete Genero (Jackie) of Amherst, Virginia. Above all else, Joan relished in the love and excitement of her family, including 15 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

Her son James Melvin and daughter Ruthann Steinmiller preceded her in her passing.

A private burial will be held for the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Timberlake Dixie Youth at P.O. Box 4336, Lynchburg, Virginia 24502.