Daughter of the late Louis & Ann Smith
Wife of the late Ralph Whitener; Sister of the late John (Sue) Smith, Joe (Judy) Smith, Judy (Mike) Levitt Aunt to Shellie, Rob, Stephanie, Michael, Jennifer, Stephen
Great Aunt to Jay, Justin, Brayden, Emma, Claire, AJ, Jared, Mason, Grace, Caleb, Ava, Madison, and Brenden ;Great Great Aunt to Aria, Campbell, Crosby, and Ryker Special cousin to Pat and Jackie; Special friend to Margaret Hart, and many others
Joann lived her entire life in Dogtown. She was proud of her Irish heritage and neighborhood.
She was very active at St. James the Greater Church, and was a member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. Every year on St. Patrick’s Day you could find her in the gym at St. James decked out in green, serving her famous shamrock cookies.
One of her huge passions in life was hockey. She was the biggest St. Louis Blues fan around.
She was a 59 year season ticket holder, a founding member of the Blueliners Booster Club, and was a member of the NHLBC. She made many friends near and far through her love of hockey, and enjoyed seeing them each year at convention. She has been honored by the Blues on several occasions for her life-long support.
Joann also had a passion for baking. Family and friends knew to expect her cookie trays and banana nut bread every Christmas, even if you didn’t live close-by. If anyone she knew was having a birthday, she’d be ready with a cake. She enjoyed teaching her nieces and nephews to bake, and if you needed a particular ingredient, recipe, or baking tool you could count on her to have it.
Joann was known for her generosity, caring nature, and a deep love for her family, and the friends that became family. She will be deeply missed by so many. May we all carry on her legacy by helping others.
Services: Funeral from Kutis Affton Chapel 10151 Gravois, Tuesday September 29, 8:45 AM to St. James the Greater Catholic Church for 9:30 AM mass. Interment JB National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: St. James the Greater Catholic Church or Blues for Kids. Visitation Monday 3:00-8:00 PM.