Joanne Marie Christian (DeMass), 81, passed away on June 16, 2018 after her courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer.  Joanne's vibrant personality and perpetual smile lifted the spirits of everyone fortunate enough to have crossed her path.  She was truly a loving gift to the lives of family and friends, as well as complete strangers.

She was born June 22, 1936 in Akron, Ohio to Donald and Helen DeMass.  Joanne graduated from Ellet High School in 1954, continuing her connection with classmates through her passionate dedication to the Ellet Alumni Association and tireless planning of her class reunions.  Joanne attended Miami University of Ohio for 3 years before finishing her B.A. degree at the University of Akron.  She then shared her wisdom, love and compassion for others as a social worker for the City of Akron.  During this time she maintained a part time position at Bumpas Drug and Emporium off of Tallmadge Circle where she began her working career at the age of 15.  This is where she ultimately met the love of her life, Robert Christian, when she was 27 years old.  Robert and Joanne were married on November 2, 1963.  Together they raised their two sons, Mike and Joel and built a beautiful home in Tallmadge.  Joanne's love for people, her business knowledge and passion for success made her instrumental in the development and growth of FM Machine Co. which remains a thriving family business to this day.  Friends and family will always have fond memories of her Thanksgiving feasts and her relentless efforts to make every Christmas special for her 6 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Joanne is survived by her loving husband, Robert Christian; sons, Mike and Joel; brother, Jim (Brenda) DeMass; sisters, Janice (Larry) Deeks and Juanita DeMass; grandchildren, Daniel Christian, Julianne (Mike) Moffitt, John (Karen) Christian, Chris (Karla) Christian, Kathleen (Jeremy) Hutchinson and Mellissa (Johnathan) Foster; and her 17 great grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am, Thursday, at Our Lady of Victory Church, 91 North Ave. Tallmadge. The procession will form at the church.  Burial will follow at Tallmadge Cemetery.  Friends will be received from 4 to 8 pm, Wednesday, at Hennessy Funeral Home (corner of York and Main), 552 N. Main St., Akron.