Joanne J (Hemming) Pykonen, age 90, passed away September 4, 2021, at Homestead II Nursing Home.

Joanne was born August 12, 1931, in Painesville to John and Violet (Parrish) Hemming.

Joanne was a lifelong resident of Painesville. She worked at the former Parmly Hotel and went on to earn certification in early childhood development from Lakeland Community College. Joanne worked at Coleridge Day Care and Preschool and from there worked at The Andrews Osborne Academy, a private school in Willoughby Ohio, until retirement. Joanne was a very compassionate, dedicated teacher and loved her time working with young children. She was the treasurer of the Tri-County Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC), a professional early childhood organization for Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties, for many years. She participated with all the meetings, special events and local conferences held in Lake County.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas J. Pykonen in June 2020; her son, Douglas Gary "Dougie" Pykonen in April 2021, her sister, Gloria D. (Elmer) Gurbach and her parents.

Joanne and Douglas enjoyed dancing at Painesville Township Park, bowling and attending sporting events.  Along with Dougie, they enjoyed eating out and socializing with family and friends.

Memorial services for Joanne will be held Saturday, September 25, 2021, at 1:00 PM at the Spear-Mulqueeny Funeral Home, 667 Mentor Ave. Painesville. Family and friends will be received from 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM at the funeral home

Inurnment will be in Riverside Cemetery