JoAnne M. King

AKWESASNE – Ms. JoAnne M. King, 58, of 581 State Route 37, unexpectedly passed away Thursday, March 21, 2013 in the emergency room at Massena Memorial Hospital.

JoAnne was born November 2, 1954 in Cornwall, Ontario, the daughter of the late Louis E. and Irene Swamp King.  She attended school at General Vanier.  A marriage to Richard J. Tarbell ended in divorce.

JoAnne first worked in the early years of the Bear’s Den Restaurant and Gift Shop, where she and then husband helped in getting it started.  She later went to work as security guard at the Mohawk Bingo Palace and then with the TBI Golden Arrow.  JoAnne was well known for her beadwork, having produced pieces that are on exhibit in the Smithsonian and work that went to the Vatican and at several Kateri Conferences.  She, along with her mother-in-law, also ran a booth at the New York State Fair.  She was a member of the Six Nations Agricultural Society and was active with the Louis E. King Memorial Scholarship.  She was a very strong willed person who loved to cook and bake.

JoAnne is survived by her children, Ian and Suzan Tarbell of Akwesasne; twins, Leah and Troy Benedict of Akwesasne; and Lois Tarbell and Eric Wilson of St. Regis Falls; her daughter-in-law, Marney Tarbell of Massena; her grandchildren, Austin, Cameron, Skylar, Koral, Tori, Blaze, Kyra, and Bow; and her companion, Phillip Tarbell of Akwesasne.

She is also survived by her five sisters, Janice and Larry Greenfield of Oswego; Dolores and Steve Conners, Donna and Harris Cole, Elaine and Leslie Thompson, Catherine and Larry Rourke, all of Akwesasne; her five brothers, Eugene P. and Diane King, Ernest T. and Alice King, Gordon J. and Denean King, Larry A. and Sheila King, and Bennett L. King and his companion, Shae Gibson, all of Akwesasne; her aunts, Annie King and Cecelia Cook, both of Akwesasne, and Mary Mattice of Massena; her dear friend, Bertha Oakes of Akwesasne; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her sister, Amy E. King on October 5, 1990, and a great niece, Memphis Rain Carle on December 3, 2011.

Friends called at the Kateri Hall, beginning Sunday, March 24th until a Mass of Christian Burial that was celebrated on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at the St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Jerome Pastores, celebrating. Following cremation, burial will be in Kateri Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Regis Catholic Church in her memory.

Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, where condolences may be made online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com