Joanne G. Dobbins, 93, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2022 surrounded by family and loved ones.  She was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 30, 1928.  She graduated from Lakewood High School, attended Bowling Green State University and the University of Akron where she earned her degree/certificate in Licensed Practical Nursing.

She spent the first two decades of her career in various secretarial roles.  In her early 40's, she decided to change direction and become a Licensed Practical Nurse working at several area nursing homes, then retiring from Akron City Hospital (Summa) in 1989.  She was also a freelance writer and columnist for the Village Sun Newspaper and assisted her husband, Cecil, in his Swiss hiking business, Alpine Adventure Trails Tours for 20 years.  Joanne and Cecil were frequent world travelers and continued travelling for many years after the sale of their business.

After Cecil's death, (1/9/2020), Joanne moved to assisted living in Cincinnati to be closer to her son, Kent and her four grandchildren.

Walking was Joanne's lifelong hobby as well as reading, gardening, birdwatching, word puzzles, handicrafts including macramé chair making and punch embroidery and spending time with her grandchildren.  She advocated for the environment and the preservation of nature.  She was a Girl Scout Troop leader and Neighborhood Block Watch Captain.  She was a member of Unity Chapel of Light, Tallmadge, Ohio and Christ Woodland United Methodist Church, Akron.

She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Cecil L. Dobbins, her mother, Grace (Heinlen) Greene, her father, Arthur F. Greene Sr., and brother, Arthur F. Greene Jr.  Survivors include her brother, James Greene, sisters Nancy Ritter and Susan Craney, two children, June and Kent (Pamela), four grandchildren Andrew, Elizabeth, Lindsay and Meghan and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service celebrating Joanne's life followed by inurnment will be held on May 21, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. at the chapel at the Woodlawn Cemetery, 5134 OH-235, Ada, Ohio 45810.  Lunch will follow at a nearby restaurant.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Joanne's memory to The National Audubon Society, 225 Varick St., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10014 or The Foundation Fighting Blindness, 6925 Oakland Mills Rd., #701, Columbia, MD 21045.

To share a memory of Joanne or leave a special message for the Dobbins family, please click the "Tribute Wall" tab above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."

Walker Funeral Home is honored to serve the Dobbins family.  Please call 513.251.6200 or visit www.HerbWalker.com for additional information.