Mrs. Joanne M. Bigwarfe

Mrs. Joanne M. Bigwarfe , age 43 of Potsdam, NY passed away on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. A mass of Christian burial for her will be held on Monday, June 4, 2012 at 10 am at St. Mary’s Church in Potsdam with Msgr. Robert Aucoin celebrant. Burial will follow the service at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Potsdam. Friends may call at the Garner Funeral Service on Saturday, from 4-7 pm and on Sunday from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers contributions in her memory can be made to the Potsdam Booster Club @ P.O. Box 806 Potsdam, NY 13676.

Joanne is survived by her husband Brooks Joseph Bigwarfe, her son Konnor Joseph-Stark Bigwarfe, her daughter Kirstie Marie-Stark Bigwarfe, her parents Joseph and Stephanie Stark, her sister Susan (William) Barrett and several aunts, uncles, and her niece and nephews Raegan, Riley, and Rhece Barrett.

She is predeceased by her daughter Taylor Brooks Bigwarfe and her grandparents Elmer and Betty Stark and Fredrick and Frances Morse.

Joanne M. Bigwarfe was born on November 22, 1968 in Potsdam, NY to Joseph and Stephanie Morse Stark. She was a 1986 graduate of Potsdam Central School. She then received her Associates Degree from SUNY Canton and her Bachelor’s Degree from SUNY Potsdam. Then while at St. Lawrence University she received a Master’s Degree in Special Education and a Master’s Degree in Administration. She graduated with high honors with all of her degrees.

Joanne held many jobs while in college. She worked at the P & C and the Super Duper grocery stores. She was a summer worker at Reynolds Metals in Massena and she worked for the ARC in Potsdam for 5 years. Joanne started her teaching career at Potsdam Central School where she taught for just a half year. She then taught at Malone Central School for a year and then at Parishville- Hopkinton Central School for the next 6 years. She then took the Special Education Administrator’s job at Norwood-Norfolk Central School. She remained there until becoming the Principal of the school 2 years ago.

On August 17, 1991 at St. Mary’s Church in Potsdam, NY she was married to Brooks Joseph Bigwarfe with Msgr. John Murphy celebrant.

Joanne loved to support anything her kids were involved in. She was very active in the community. She enjoyed supporting youth athletics, she was the president of K-Kids, was the president of the Potsdam Booster Club, she was a member of the Kiwanis Club in Norwood and she was also a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma (which is a female educators honor society.) Joanne was a fun loving and caring person who enjoyed life and will surely be missed by many. Online condolences can be sent @www.garnerfh.com.