JO ANNE DANFORTH, 74, of 61 Central Avenue, Dalton, died Sunday, March 20, 2011, at her home.
Born in Sharon, Connecticut on February 26, 1937, a daughter of William and Margaret Humeston Pitcher, she was educated in Sharon and Falls Village, Connecticut, schools, and was a 1955 graduate of Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village. She continued her education and in 1958 graduated from the Henry W Bishop Memorial School of Nursing in Pittsfield.
A registered nurse by profession, and with a passion for geriatric nursing, Mrs. Danforth had been president and owner-operator of Curtis Manor Rest Home in Dalton since 1998.
For many years prior to that she had been the director of nursing at the former Ashmere Manor Nursing Home in Hinsdale.
Mrs. Danforth was a communicant of St. Agnes Church. She was a member of the Henry W. Bishop Memorial Alumni Association
Mrs. Danforth enjoyed being with her family and taking day trips with her late husband and family. She had a great love for the residents at Curtis Manor, as well.
She was also a longtime Boston Red Sox fan and enjoyed playing cards.
Her husband, James R. Danforth, whom she married September 12, 1959, in
St. Bernard's Church in Sharon, Connecticut, died April 21, 2007.
Mrs. Danforth is survived by three sons, William J. Danforth of Hinsdale,
Charles F. Danforth of Dalton, and John P. Danforth of Dalton; two daughters, Eileen
M. Rattigan and her husband, Mark, of Dalton; and Karen M. Carlson and her husband,
Brian , of Bantam, Connecticut; nine grandchildren, James and Alicia Rattigan, Crystal
Veach, David, Eric, Abigail and Christopher Danforth, and Steven and Stephanie Danforth; seven great grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Lamb of Sharon, Connecticut; as well as many extended family at Curtis Manor Rest Home.
Mrs. Danforth was pre-deceased by her daughter, Denise Lavigne who died
February 10, 1992, and by a grandson, Matthew R. Danforth who died September 29,
1997.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for JO ANNE DANFORTH will be Saturday, March 26, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m., at St. Agnes Church celebrated by Rev. Christopher A. Malatesta, Pastor. Burial will be at a later date. Calling hours will be
Friday, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., at DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL HOME. In lieu of flowers,
contributions in memory of Mrs. Danforth may be made to Curtis Manor Activities Fund
in care of the Funeral Home, 890 East Main Street, Dalton.