Obituary of Joanne Agnes Norwood

Joanne Agnes Norwood (née Sapio), of Sicklerville NJ passed away on November 17, 2020 in Voorhees, NJ at the age of 74. Joanne finally succumbed to a decade’s long illness after a hard-fought courageous battle.

Born in Camden to Michael and Agnes Sapio (née Eisle), Joanne was raised in Stratford NJ with 5 brothers and a sister. She attended St. Lawrence School and went on to Camden Catholic High School, class of 64’

Joanne went on to meet the love of her life, Robert C. Norwood Jr., also of Stratford, after meeting him at the Stratford Milkbar. Dad adored mom and vice versa. They soon married and had 3 children. Deanna L. (Norwood) O’Keefe (Edward), Michele L. Norwood (Hall) Richard and Robert C. Norwood III (Heather). They gave her the best gifts, Nate Hall, Kylee Norwood, Billy O’Keefe, Robbie Norwood, Kaitlynn O’Keefe, Jake Norwood, Chelsea Hall and Josh Norwood. Her children and grandbabies were her life.

They moved their family to Pine Hill where all the fun memories were had. Joanne played in a card group for over 40 years with Dianne Ashenfelter who incidentally is her best friend since birth. Their shenanigans and hijinks are timeless as was their 74-year friendship. Also were Terry Sapio, Dot Sapio, Rosemary Sapio, Jackie McNellis, Pat Barr, Darlene Allard. These ladies provided the best friendship for her and she for them. Friday evenings soon became happy hour central where they began an investment club with friends Judy, Andy, Brothers Mike & Rick among others. They actually made money too! Mom also loved reading, crocheting and enjoyed various bowling leagues. She was known affectionately to everyone as “Mama Jo”.

Dad provided a great home for mom, always traveling, taking cruises, traveling cross country. It did not matter where; they were always together like peas & carrots. They idolized each other. Dad spoiled mom with his love of cooking and his adoration of her.

Joanne worked as an office manager for Robert M. Sapio Sr. Appraising. Incidentally, this was her brother. Her siblings are Jack J. Sapio (the late Terry), Michael J. Sapio (Dorothy), Richard T. Sapio (Rosemary) and the late Robert M. Sapio (Helen), James T. Sapio (the late Patricia) and baby Eleanor Sapio. She loved being around them and running with the big boys, they were her heroes.

Later in life, dad and mom moved to a retirement community. Dad’s sister Eileen Davis was very instrumental in the later years helping with travel, cooking and caretaking.

Mom was a free spirit. She was nicknamed Jovial Jo. She provided positivity, strength, resilience and the best sense of humor. Everyone she touched truly loved her. We will miss her extreme generous nature, kindness and laughter. Joanne has many family and friends and she will be dearly missed.

Family and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Tuesday morning from 10:30AM to 11:30AM at the COSTANTINO-PRIMO FUNERAL HOME, 231 W. WHITE HORSE PIKE BERLIN NJ 08009. Funeral service 11:30AM at the funeral home. Interment to follow at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown NJ. Due to the current regulations, face masks must be worn, and attendance will be limited to follow all COVID-19 guidelines. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Joanne’s memory to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN 38105 OR the Wounded Warrior Project at P.O. Box 758517 Topeka KS 66675. To leave lasting condolences, photos or make a donation please use the links on this page.

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