Obituary of JoAnn Lorensen

JoAnn L. Lorensen, 77, of Heritage Point, Morgantown, passed away Monday, June 22, 2009 at her residence following a three-year courageous battle with ALS. She was born in Santa Monica, CA on November 10, 1931, a daughter of the late Calvin O. and Bessie M. Jackson.Survivors include her four children, Linda L. Bierkamper of Morgantown Richard H. Lorensen of Ajijic, Mexico Michael D. Lorensen and his wife, Maria of Martinsburg, WV and Charles O. Lorensen and his wife, Pamela of Charleston, WV and her daughter-in-law, Jane A. Johnson, DDS of Lewisburg, WV and seven grandchildren: Anna Bierkamper, Charles Bierkamper, Annie Lorensen, William J. Lorensen, Lauree Lorensen, Kristen Lorensen and William M. Lorensen. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Willard Dean Lorensen on October 26, 2004.Mrs. Lorensen received both her bachelor's and master's degrees in education from West Virginia University. She began working on her degrees once her children were in elementary school. She spent decades doing what she loved best - teaching at First Ward, Second Ward and Mountainview elementary schools in Monongalia County. After her retirement, she continued to volunteer at Mountainview.She also was an active volunteer with many non-profit organizations, and was on the board of directors of the local Osher Lifetime Learning Institute (OLLI), Morgantown Area Meals on Wheels, and Service League of Morgantown. She was very active at the Village at Heritage Point, having served on several committees, including marketing, and was a member of the Campus Club quilters and bridge groups. Mrs. Lorensen was a gifted quilter, a skilled bridge player and an avid supporter of the local arts community. She regularly attended live theater and musical productions at the Creative Arts Center and at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh with her friends. An avid Mountaineer fan, Mrs. Lorensen enjoyed watching WVU football and basketball games, and was a basketball season ticket-holder for many years.Mrs. Lorensen also loved to travel, especially during the summer and after her retirement. She and her late husband took several trips during their retirement to Asia and Africa. They were especially fond of a cruise they took to Alaska. Mrs. Lorensen also took pleasure in summer travels to Chautauqua, New York for an intensive weeklong learning institute.A celebration the life of Mrs. Lorensen will be held at 2 PM Tuesday, July 7, 2009 in the Great Room of the Village at Heritage Point. An informal reception will immediately follow for family and friends.In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mrs. Lorensenâs memory may be made to either the WVU Foundation, Inc. for OLLI at WVU, Center on Aging, Mountaineer Mall, Unit D-9, 5000 Greenbag Road, Morgantown, WV 26501 or Morgantown Area Meals on Wheels, 3373 University Ave., Morgantown, WV 26505.Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown is providing cremation services to the family.Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.