JoAnn Barbara Lapointe-Kelly

When you wake up tomorrow and I’m not there, please know I had to leave behind all those I dearly loved. Please be assured, I no longer feel the pain that plagued me over the last years of my life. Don’t think we are far apart, but instead, remember all the great times we shared throughout my life.

JoAnn left us on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at the age of 85.

She was born as JoAnn Barbara George on November 2, 1936 in Visalia, California to Joseph and Anna George. JoAnn attended grade school in Visalia and graduated from Dinuba High School in 1955. She went on to become a certified phlebotomist.

Throughout her life, she resided in California, New Mexico, Colorado and Michigan and later made a home in Gulf Breeze, Florida, where she raised two children, Todd and Cheryl.

Beyond her family, JoAnn took pleasure in many activities. In her earlier years, she was an accomplished equestrian and spent many summers riding in Kings Canyon National Park. She loved traveling throughout the US and internationally. She was an outstanding cook and bridge player. She loved to dance. In her later years, she enjoyed going to Biloxi, MS to play the slots and was frequently quite successful. But most of all, JoAnn loved to grow championship orchids. Over the 28 years of her competition in the southeast, 16 champion orchids were named for her by the American Orchid Society.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Todd Allen Lapointe. She is survived by her husband of 26 years, Theodore Kelly; daughter Cheryl Zinszer; son-in-law Randy Zinszer; grandchildren Carly and Riley Zinszer (of Flower Mound, TX); sister Lorreen George-Hyde; brother-in-law Stephen Hyde (of Colorado Springs, Co); nephew Evan Hyde (of Colorado Springs, CO) and niece Erin Hyde-Maitlen (of Denver, CO).

The extended Kelly Family would like to give special thanks, love and gratitude to her loving care givers, Pauline Gandy, Dena Williams and Kim Anderson. A special thank you also goes to the caring professionals of Vitas Hospice, her special nurses, Shannon Swam and Kellie Smith, and the many medical professionals and friends who helped with her care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Vitas Health Care, 1230 Creighton Rd, Pensacola FL 32504. A graveside service will be announced.