Wednesday November 14th, 2018 10:48 AM
Testimonials for Joanne Dunn Gaffey
One of the nicest things that you did for me occurred many years ago when I was expecting my first baby.
Barb Mulvaney had said that she was going to host a baby shower in my honor.
At the last minute, she discovered that Barb Burdick was also expecting a baby and that she preferred to host a shower for her.
My baby was born in January and Barb's arrived in late April.
You can imagine how it made me feel.
You stepped up and hosted a shower for me at your house. I will never forget your kindness.
Through the years there have been many other nice things that you have done that are too numerous to mention.
But that time made a big difference in my life.
Mo Finnerty
Joanne, you have always been a wonderful big sister.
You stood by my side through so many events in my life, including the birth of my daughter.
You were there for my mom as she went through ups and down with her health
and you taught me how to be there for mom too.
You have the kindest heart, a witty outlook and a love for family and friends that never ends.
Happy Birthday Joanne.
I love you from the bottom of my heart.
Ellen Dunn
Mom, you've been a mom for over 60 years and you are really really good at it.
You worked full time, raised five kids, kept us well fed ... You protected us.
Sometimes from ourselves.
No matter how much bullshit we put on your plate you rarely complained.
We were rowdy kids and perilous teenagers; we were selfish.
Sorry about the times I made you worry.
You always trusted me. And that helped me to trust myself.
You inspire me to care in an apathetic world.
I will LOVE you forever.
Happy Birthday Mom
John
Joanne,
you spent countless hours caring for Dad and Mom -
cooking, cleaning and caring for their health, unconditional love.
And you seemed happy to do it.
One time when Mom made one of her special purchases from her friend Agnes Ross - a sofa bed.
You and I were dispatched to move the iron beast from Agnes's to Mom's.
Of course it was on the second floor and with the built in steel frame that weighed a ton.
We loaded the elephant onto the back of Bill's Ranchero and delivered it Mom.
I was totally spent but you were like the Energizer Bunny ready for the next task!
You taught me what love of family is all about.
Always be "there" for your loved ones, no matter what.
I love you sis, to the moon and back!
Your Brudder. Mike
Dear Joanne,
When I think of someone who is kind, thoughtful, funny, hardworking and resourceful, I think of you.
No matter how busy life gets, you always think of others - you send birthday cards,
you host parties, you welcome people into your home...
It's a special kind of generosity to offer your time so cheerfully, and I am so grateful to know you.
With love,
Cara
Mom,
Where do I begin.
Even at a very young age I realized how lucky I was to have such an awesome Mom.
I never once felt neglected because you were a working Mom but appreciated your sacrifice.
I don't know how you did it and you never complained.
Working nights and taking care of us during the day.
I don't know when you had a chance to sleep.
You were always there for us and for your parents.
You taught us how to love, to get along, to share (remember- one got to cut the cake and the other kids got to pick first!)
to work hard, and to appreciate what we had.
Some of my most fond memories were when you took me to the Candy Land restaurant
after my First Communion for hot chocolate and toast. It was just the two of us and I felt so special!
Another time the two of us went to see the movie Love Story.
I know it was hard working full time, taking care of us and Dad to have any one on one time together
but now that I am grown we are making up for it. You make me laugh and you make me proud.
You are not just my Mom. You are my traveling, shopping, movie watching, eating companion,
present wrapping buddy and all around partner in crime and best friend.
I love you Mom!!
Ginny 
Aunt Joanne,
I remembered looking forward to summertime when our family would take our annual summer vacation.
Often that vacation included the Gaffey’ s! We were always very excited to go on vacation with the Gaffey’ s because
we did not see our cousins much and they had a cool boat we could potentially waterski with.
The vacation I remember the most, was not camping on Delta Lake or the Saint Lawrence where the boat would be used,
it was when we went to Maine. It was a long road trip and I remember John always wanting to go to Cadillac Mountain
(no idea why I remember that…maybe because when we finally got there I could not understand what the excitement was about!)
Any way on the trip, we went deep sea fishing….(yes this is the story!)
We all went on the boat, the Gaffey’s and the Dunn’s (I have no clue how you guys and my parents afforded to take us all these cool places).
I remember the water was rough. I think you were the first, but certainly not the only person I saw get sick over the side of the boat.
As I watched you, I remembered being surprised that you just leaned over the boat to get sick,
but being more surprised and definitely amused that when you stopped getting sick that you started chewing your gum again!!!
I thought – OMG she still has her gum! I could not stop laughing. It made a real impression on me.
Anyway, the memory may not be one that demonstrates the special person that you are,
but I always loved the family vacations that we took together and the importance of family
that we all grew up with thanks to the priority that you and Uncle Bill and my parents set and lived out every day.
Thanks for the memories.
Love you and Happy 80th Birthday!
Shelly
P.S. I won’t write about all the time we spent in the Smithsonian with the Airplanes!
Hi grandma,
You are simply the best!
-
You always
- send birthday and holiday cards,
- make THE BEST Christmas cookies,
- take our calls,
- welcome us to your home to stay as long as we want,
- remember what we are up to,
- remind me to make time for family,
- make sure Alla is getting the attention she deserves.
You always go the extra mile.
You have a lot of people in your life that love you dearly and
despite that you always made me feel like I'm the only one.
You always make me feel special.
You are a very special person.
Love you always,
Clare
Grandma-
One of my favorite memories growing up is you taking us camping.
I learned the love I have for the outdoors and it sparked my love of traveling and now Trinity has inherited that as well.
One of my favorite weeks is the one you flew down with mom and Sam to go to Trinity’s graduation.
I think my stomach and face still hurt from smiling and laughing so hard.
Although it wasn’t for very long, I am happy to have lived down the street from you.
I enjoyed coming down to play cards and often times you sent me home with your famous spaghetti sauce!
I think you could’ve been a millionaire if you opened up a restaurant serving spaghetti and anything you baked!
My stomach smiled with anything you made!
Not only are you a great cook….you are hardworking!
Not only are you hard working, you never complain while you are doing it.
I will never forget how you helped me dig a leach field for my septic tank.
I remember how difficult it was to keep up with you! And not once did I hear you complain.
I don’t know anyone else that can say their grandmother helped them dig a leach field.
I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to take care of a place on my own.
I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you and grandpa.
Thank you for being there to help take care of Trinity
when I needed someone to watch her when I went to work or school.
I will always be grateful for all you have done for me!
Love,
Andi 
Joanne,
Do you remember the week we went on vacation to Oakies's camp?
It rained almost every day and the guys went fishing and we were in the house all week with the kids.
That was not a vacation. I knew then that I wanted a camper.
Practically no housework and lots of fun, even if it did rain.
Those were the best times we had together.
Great memories.
Remember the pottery.
Too big picnic table in your camper that had to be taken out so you and Bill could get to sleep that night.
We sure did have a lot of fun together.
We love you, Joanne.
Jim and Joan 
Joanne,
I guess growing up in a family that has such a strong foundation based on faith, it has always been second nature
to recognize that everything happens according to God's plan.
There are no coincidences, only brief moments of clarity when we are actually aware of the synchronicity of life.
Your presence, although be it 1,000 miles away, will forever be remembered as a lifeline at a time in my life when I needed it most.
The fact you and my mom had reconnected after so many years of not knowing how to reach each other
was just the beginning of our connection. Little did any of us know how timely that phone call would be.
Or that the following call just a few days later would be from the hospital as mom was preparing to leave us.
Your kindness and loving support during some of the darkest days of my life will never be forgotten.
Your voice on the line helped guide me when I had no idea what to do or even know if I could do it once I knew.
You helped bridge a tremendous gap that had grown from years of distance in our family connections.
You told me stories and wrote me letters filled with details and newspaper clippings that I cherish.
You reminded me that family is forever and those bonds can be relied on when you need them most.
I will always believe that our paths crossing was heaven sent at that exact moment in time.
Angels are among us everyday and God knows you were mine.
I hope you have a wonderful birthday and already know you will be surrounded by an extremely loving family.
Much love and happiness always!
Denise 
Grandma,
You took care of me when I was sick and small.
You showed me how to use a rosary.
You showed me how to play rummy.
How to do a crossword puzzle.
How to use leftover pie crust to make Curly Cues, one of my favorite things.
Whenever I see a pretty bird or smell apple pie I am reminded of you and my childhood.
Today I've enjoyed spending time with you and learning who you are not only as a wife and mother, but as a lady.
I've always seen you as a woman of fortitude and responsibility, but then you surprise me
with your hilarious observations, and your honest yet compassionate view of the world, and all of us.
I'm proud to be your granddaughter.
You fill the role with grace.
Love
Sammy Jo 
Hey Grandma,
It's Rachel!
I just wanted to say thank you for always loving me and supporting me so much.
In spite of how big our family is,
you always make a point to check in with all of us to see how we're doing.
You even reach out to my mom's mom
who doesn't have many people to talk to besides Mom, Clare, Dad and I.
It warms my heart to know that you keep her in your thoughts.
You're so kind, generous and thoughtful.
I feel grateful each and every day to have been born with grandparents like you and Grandma Alla.
Even though we live relatively far apart, and don't see each other that often,
I never feel disconnected from you because of how you care so very much.
Thank you for all these years of being my grandmother!
With love always,
Rachel 