Joanne C. Sheskey

Joanne McConnaughey Sheskey, a professional social worker and avid volunteer, died on Monday, April 14, 2014, at Ohio State’s James Hospital. She was 87, the daughter of the late David and Nancy Manington McConnaughey.

Joanne was born minutes before her twin sister Jeanne on October 10, 1926, in Dayton, Ohio. She was valedictorian of the Bellbrook High School Class of 1944.  A 1948 graduate of Ohio University, her career as a social worker and as supervisor of social services with the Athens County Department of Welfare fulfilled her commitment to nurture the most vulnerable populations.

She was a member of St. Mary of the Hills Catholic Parish, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, the Emblem Club, and Quota Club. Upon retirement, Joanne coordinated the efforts of the Nelsonville Soup Kitchen and Food Cupboard.

On February 5, 1949, she married Robert Sheskey, her husband of 65 years, at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church Rectory in Dayton.

She leaves the large family she cared for with grace and humor; including her loving husband.  She is survived by her five adoring daughters – Debby Sheskey of Nelsonville; Linda (David) Keyes of Hilliard; Susan (Ken) Scarbro of Columbus; Nancy (Rocky) Smathers of Buchtel; and Margaret (Larry Lafferty) Sheskey of Athens.   She will be missed by her darling pets Peyton, Mitzi, Janet and PJ Trouble.

Her grandchildren all arrived home to bid farewell – Gretchen Smathers of Pittsburgh; Brice Keyes of New York City; Flynt Smathers of The Plains; Grant Keyes of Fort Worth, TX; Travis Smathers of Buchtel; Sarah Keyes of Cincinnati; Ben (Colleen) Scarbro of Columbus; and Joe Scarbro of Champaign, IL. Her great granddaughter will arrive in August.

Her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Clara Sheskey of Hingham, MA; Thomas Meade of Cincinnati, Thomas and Victoria Sheskey of Marion; and Mary Morgan of Athens survive, as do her beloved nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren. She is also survived by her cousins, including a special cousin, Bob (Laurel) DuLaney of Schaumburg, IL.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her twin sister Jeanne and brother-in-law Roger Morgan; her sister and brother-in-law Betty Lou and Dick Fryman; her brother and sister-in-law David and Betty Story McConnaughey; her brother-in-law William Sheskey; and sisters-in-law Dot Bradfield Sheskey and Elizabeth Sheskey Meade; and two nephews, a great nephew and a great niece.

Her family is grateful to Dr. Marjorie Devol and Molly; the staff at Doctors Hospital Nelsonville; and the tenth floor staff at The James Hospital at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and David Conner, RN, of Interim for the expert and compassionate care they provided for her.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 PM, Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at St. Mary of the Hill Catholic Church, 17645 Bank St., Buchtel, OH 45716 with Father Christopher Foxhoven officiating.   Interment will be at St. Patrick Cemetery, Buchtel. Friends and family may call Tuesday from 4-7 PM at the Souers-Cardaras Funeral Home, 46 Fayette St., Nelsonville, where a funeral vigil will be conducted at 4 PM.