Joanne Baker

Joanne Taranto Baker, 72, of Norwich, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Wednesday March 23, 2016 at SUNY Upstate Medical Hospital, in Syracuse, with family by her side.

Born March 5,1944, in Norwich, Joanne was the daughter of Coney and Antoinette (Angelino) Taranto. She graduated from Norwich City Schools and later attended Syracuse University where she majored in business administration and music.

After college, Joanne moved to the Washington D.C. area where she was district sales manager of the Sheraton Park Hotel and at the Washington Hilton Hotel. After she married, Joanne moved to New Orleans with her then husband. There she worked for Tidewater Marine Service, Inc. as a public relations director through the 1970s and 1980s. Later, Joanne assisted her brother, Bart Coney Taranto, in opening up Augie’s Western Restaurant in Detroit, MI. She then returned to the Washington area where she worked for the Yellow Cab Co. as its executive secretary to the president.

Joanne vacationed several times throughout Europe, and revisited her roots there with her parents, which was very special to her. In Germany, she caught up with her brother, Bart, who was working there at the time.

In 1995, Joanne returned to Norwich to care for her parents. She spent the last 20 years of her life back in her hometown of Norwich. Joanne loved the town and gave back to the community in many ways. She was passionate about helping to save the St. Bartholomew’s Church, where she and her family were communicants for many years. Joanne also volunteered at a local nursing home and taught exercise classes. At the nursing home, she was never short of a new joke to tell all and brighten the day. Joanne enjoyed family and friends and was a connoisseur of fine wines, foods, and antiques. She was an avid cat lover. Joanne’s cat, Rusty, which survives, will be loved and looked after by her niece, Kathryn Scozzafava. Joanne had a majority of her suits and clothing donated to Roots & Wings.

Joanne is survived by her sisters Rose Scozzafava, of Potomac, MD, and Marie and William Kirwin, of Baltimore, MD; nieces Kathryn Scozzafava, Marialana Suarez, and Colene Barbaro; and nephew John Scozzafava. Several great-nieces and great-nephews also survive. She was predeceased by brother Bart Coney Taranto and brother-in-law John Gill Scozzafava.

A memorial Mass for Joanne will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at St. Bartholomew’s Church, where Rev. Ralph Bove, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery.