Joanne G. Lipski

Joanne was a wonderful and graceful lady. She was a beautiful person on the outside, but it was her inner beauty that made her the special woman that influenced so many in her life. Joanne made a profound impact on her family and friends, business clients, alma mater, church and community.

Joanne passed away peacefully at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg on July 26, 2022, approximately a year after being diagnosed with Glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. The family wishes to thank the staff at Hospice for their extraordinary care during the past months.

Joanne was born on February 5, 1950 in rural Damascus, Ohio to Keith and Jane (Berger) Griffith. She graduated from West Branch High School in Beloit, Ohio and was named Salutatorian of her Class of 1968. Joanne was active in school activities and a class officer.

Then, in a decision that would impact the rest of her life, she chose to attend Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio. Joanne was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority and active in campus activities. During the school’s centennial year, 1971, she was voted Centennial Queen with the responsibilities of traveling with the university president to host alumni events, where she spoke and played the piano. Joanne was selected to give the student response at graduation, where she was conferred her Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. She was one of very few women in accounting at that time.

Shortly after graduation, undoubtedly due to her favorable impact meeting alumni and trustees during her undergraduate time, Joanne was named to the Board of Trustees of Ohio Northern University, and then served on the Board for an unmatched 44 years! Joanne is believed to be the longest-serving female trustee of any American university. She served on and chaired numerous university committees during that time, including presidential search committees. Ohio Northern has recognized Joanne’s service with the Dicke College of Business Distinguished Service Award in 2011, the Ohio Northern Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012 and the Dicke College of Business Pinnacle Award in 2014. Joanne and her husband, Les, also became Life Members of the Henry Solomon Lehr Society at ONU. In a special honor recognizing her service to the university, Joanne was conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration in 2022.

After graduation Joanne joined the international CPA firm Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co (KPMG) at its Toledo office. She was one of only two women on the audit staff, one of the pioneers of women in the audit field. She attained her CPA status and then went on to become Supervisor of Financial Reporting at DeVilbiss Company. Joanne left the business world for a few years to start a family, but then began her own CPA firm where she serviced family-owned businesses as their accountant and financial advisor. Joanne had loyal clients, some with relationships lasting almost 40 years. Joanne only stopped working after her recent illness.

While at Peat Marwick, Joanne met her future husband, Les and they were married in 1976. Joanne loved her husband and family and although she had many varied interests, family was always the center of her life. Joanne was active in many parent organizations supporting her children’s interests in drama, band, vocal music and many sports.

Joanne was the consummate homemaker (nicknamed Donna Reed by neighbors), and was an excellent cook, mother and grandmother. Joanne would cook for many family celebrations and parties, including regular Sunday dinners with the family after she became a grandmother. She always had a knack for having all the dishes and sides finished at the proper time for serving, and her children all marveled at that skill!

Joanne was a renowned pie and quiche maker, as well as a great variety of special unique dishes enjoyed by family and friends, in particular, her salmon with rice and asparagus, rosemary chicken and beef stews and roasts. Unlike most families, Joanne, rather than Les, took over the grill and always cooked the steaks and burgers perfectly. Her most famous culinary delight was her Chex Mix. She made numerous large batches every Christmas and shipped tins to friends all over the US and distributed it to lucky recipients all over Northwest Ohio. She would never share this recipe, but she did teach her children this particular art.

Joanne was known to be a maven of style and class, always polished and elegant with a perfect coiffure, whether grocery shopping or dressing up for New Years’ Eve. Joanne’s signature style always included a coordinating scarf or pashmina, and, of course, jewelry to complete the outfit.

In 1980 Joanne and Les moved to Perrysburg and both agreed that was one of the best decisions in their married life, as they were extremely active in church, civic and charitable causes in the area. Joanne became active with the Perrysburg Schools and chaired the school support levy committees for over 10 years. She is most proud of being chairman of the levy that passed the income tax for Perrysburg Schools as she believed this put the school system on a firm financial footing for years to come. Joanne was also a founding member and treasurer of the Perrysburg Schools Foundation.

Upon moving to Perrysburg, Joanne met a number of ladies that would become her life-long friends, initially through Welcome Wagon. This “Ladies Card Group” met for cards and conversation once a month, always enjoyed Christmas and New Year’s together and supported each other through life’s ups and downs. These women and their spouses were of significant support to Joanne and Les during the 18 months of Joanne’s illness.

Joanne was active in church activities. She played organ and piano in church beginning when she was 16, most recently at Perrysburg First Church. Joanne especially enjoyed accompanying the church youth choir, with her daughter, Vicki, directing. She was very active at First Church, volunteering as treasurer and serving as a member of the Administrative Board and many other committees. Joanne led the Women’s Thursday morning Bible study group and was the taskmaster keeping the women focused on the topic.

Joanne was the co-chair of the first American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Perrysburg. It was one of the most successful “first” relays held, and she continued to be involved in the Relay in succeeding years. Joanne was a member of the League of Women Voters for many years, and was the moderator for Candidate’s Night in Perrysburg for almost 15 years. She received many compliments from the politician participants for her fairness and the even-handed way she controlled the candidates.

Joanne and Les are members of her beloved Carranor Hunt and Polo Club, where she was a member of the Board of Directors and past treasurer, vice-president and president. Joanne steered Carranor through the very difficult Covid year, spending virtually every day at the club as it moved towards centennial year in 2021. Joanne participated in the thorough cleaning and refurbishment of the Club to keep it on a path for the next 100 years. Joanne was named the Honorary Co-Chair of the Carranor’s Centenary Celebration.

Joanne was also a supporter of the Toledo Museum of Art, the Toledo Zoo, and a long-term season ticket holder of the Toledo Symphony. She also volunteered and assisted in many other causes in the Toledo area.

Joanne was preceded in death by her father and mother, Keith and Jane Griffith, her sister, Lana Griffith and her brother, Kent Griffith. Joanne is survived by her husband, Leslie, children, Matthew (Serena) Lipski, Victoria (Delbert) Vath IV, Theresa (Douglas) Stanley and grandchildren Vivienne, Luke and James Lipski, Violet and Alexander Vath, and Jacob Stanley.

A private funeral service will be held at Perrysburg First United Methodist Church. A Celebration of Life Open House will be held at Carranor Hunt and Polo Club on Sunday, August 14, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dicke College of Business at Ohio Northern University or The Perrysburg First United Methodist Church Music Fund. Condolences may be made online to the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.