Joanne Pauline Russo was born on August 21, 1942, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to Elinor Pauline Bouffard and Alfred Leon Bouffard.

As the daughter of an Air Force officer, Joanne moved extensively throughout the country during her childhood, attending 13 different schools and making lifelong friends wherever she went. After graduating from high school in California, she spent several years performing in summer stock theater, where she was, at one point, Carol Burnett's understudy. Joanne also worked as a professional ballet dancer, an accomplishment of which she was especially proud.

More than 50 years ago, Joanne moved to New York, where she worked as a medical assistant for a dermatologist until her retirement.

Joanne met her husband, Christopher James Russo, 35 years ago at the Coast Guard graduation ceremony of a mutual friend, and they remained together ever since. They were married in 2008 and quickly became the love of each other's lives. Together, they built a wonderful life in Queens, New York.

Joanne leaves behind many dear friends and will be remembered as one of the sweetest and kindest people anyone could have the pleasure of knowing. Even as she endured a devastating illness in her later years, she continued to reach out and help others. She never had a harsh word for anyone. Her kindness, compassion, and gentle spirit will remain in our hearts forever.