Published: November 04, 2009 10:12 am      

F. JoAnn Hanson [Fort Ashby]

FORT ASHBY, W.Va. — F. JoAnn Hanson, of Fort Ashby, W.Va., passed away on Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, surrounded by her family and close friends.

Born on Sept. 29, 1933, in Frostburg, she was the daughter of the late Edith and Herman Dishong.

She was a graduate of Beall High School and Catherman’s Business School.

Surviving are her husband, Allen, of Fort Ashby; two sons, R. Kevin, of Winchester, Va., and Burgess and wife Amy, of Deerfield Beach, Fla.; one brother, Robert Dishong and wife Tillie, of Thurmont; one sister, Shirley Gracie, of Frostburg; one grandson, Corey Hanson, of Inwood, W.Va.; a special family friend, David Rohman and his two daughters, Rachel and Darcy, of Frankford, Del.; and two long-time personal friends, Jean Yarnell, of Bethany Beach, Del., and Pansy DeHaven, of Green Spring, W.Va. She also shared long lasting camaraderie with many friends and neighbors.

Throughout her life, she remained a loving wife and mother. She took great pride in raising her two sons.

JoAnn was a quiet activist and devoted herself to many community projects. She was a charter and organizing member of the highly successful Allegany County Operation Gateway (precursor to the current Heritage Days celebration). As the Public Relations Director for the initial celebration, she had the British Embassy send their Army Military Attache to the event and coordinated having President Lyndon B. Johnson send a congratulatory message to the community. She was a long time Welfare Committee Chairman of the Cumberland Women’s Civic Club, assuring area nursing homes were helped with visits and gifts throughout the year.

She was Co-Chairman of the first Queen City Drum Fest that honored then recently released Bishop Walsh from a Chinese prison, and the second Drum Fest honored Senator and Mrs. J. Glenn Beall Sr. as a tribute to their support of Western Maryland.

After moving to Fort Ashby in 1976, she became active in the Republican Party and was elected to its Executive Committee for several terms. She was also a member of the Mineral County Health Board and the Ladies Auxiliary of Fort Ashby Post 6667, VFW. JoAnn was well known throughout Mineral County as a person who would assist local and state office seekers, many of whom successfully attained their public office goals. Her support was conditioned upon knowing the person was honorable and capable.

The family will receive friends at the Upchurch Funeral Home, Inc., Route 28, Fort Ashby (1-888-724-2251) on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, from 1 to 2:15 p.m.

The Ladies Auxiliary of Fort Ashby Post 6667, VFW will conduct a service in the funeral home at 2:15 p.m.

A memorial service will be conducted in the funeral home on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. with the Rev. Harold R. McClay Jr. officiating.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to either the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, 182 N. Mechanic St., Cumberland, MD 21502 or to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 520–8th. Ave, 7th. Floor, NY, NY 10018.

Condolences to the family may be posted after JoAnn’s obituary at www.upchurchfh. com.