Joanne Ellen Watt Gorby
Joanne Ellen Watt Gorby, 79, of Washington, formerly of Greene County, died peacefully Friday, February 1, 2013, in her home, surrounded by her family.
She was born October 15, 1933, in Petersburg, Ill., a daughter of the late William and Josephine Rush Watt, formerly of Phoenix, Ariz.
Mrs. Gorby was a 1950 graduate of Phoenix Union High School.
She worked for Bell Telephone, before serving as a yeoman in the Navy during the Korean War. From 1978 to 1999, she was employed as a front desk clerk for Days Inn and Washington Motor Inn. In 2005, after five years of service, she retired from the Waynesburg Super 8.
Mrs. Gorby attended North Buffalo Presbyterian Church. She supported the Buffalo Grange and was a member of Civil War Trust, a preservation association to preserve Civil War sites. She was very interested in Civil War history and traveled with friends to tour various Civil War sites.
On June 23, 1953, she married Jack D. Gorby, who died January 23, 1994.
Surviving are a son, Gary Dale (Kathy) Gorby of Washington; two daughters, Shelley Jean (Jeff) Lahew of Claysville and Terri (Jack) Davin of Graysville; eight grandchildren, Melissa (Ed) Six, Jennifer (Mike) Bilonick, Jodi (Zach) Richards, Kelsey Davin, Alexis Gorby, Randy (Heather) Rohm, Jason (Kristi) Rohm and Casey Davin; and six great-grandchildren, Madison Six, Nathan Bilonick, Jacob Bilonick, Cody Rohm, Elizabeth Rohm and Abigail Rohm.
Deceased is a brother, William Barrett Watt.
A memorial visitation will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., the time of memorial service, Wednesday, February 6, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Civil War Trust, www.civilwar.org, 1156 15th Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, D.C. 20005. Additional information and guest book are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.