Joanne Esther (Spicher) Woodruff passed away on July 29, 2015 at age 78 from pneumonia at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, VA. She resided in Marshall, MO.

Joanne was born on March 2, 1937 in Pittsburgh, PA, the daughter of George Alton Spicher and Mary Esther Frye. She had an older brother, Robert George Spicher. Her dad worked for the postal service and her mom was an elementary school teacher. She grew up in Indiana, PA and attended Indiana High School where she was a majorette and valedictorian of the class of 1954. She was active as a youth at Graystone Presbyterian Church where she committed her life to serving Jesus Christ. She went on to graduate from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Home Economics in 1958. She then earned a Master's in Christian Education from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1960 where she also met her husband, Stephen Albert Woodruff, III. They began their marriage by sailing to Edinburgh, Scotland where Steve earned his Ph.D. and Joanne taught home economics in the Scottish schools. From Edinburgh, they eventually found their way to Marshall, MO where Steve taught at Missouri Valley College. In the years to follow, they had three sons, Joel Stephen, Jon Michael and Jeremy Matthew. In 1972, Steve was suddenly struck with cancer and died. Joanne trusted in the Lord's provision and went on to raise her three sons in Marshall, MO where she remained the rest of her life. She instilled within her children a love for Jesus, a trust in the Bible as God's Word, and a passion to share the good news of Christ with others. She would use her intellectual acumen and teaching gift all of her life in Sunday schools, as a Christian Education Director at the Christian Church in Marshall, at Slater High School, Bueker Middle School in Marshall, leading women's Bible studies, and counseling friends. In retirement she earned a Master's degree in Counseling from Regent University. She loved her nine grandchildren dearly and was an avid gift-giver. She was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, involved in numerous Bible Studies, Inspiritus, P.E.O., Bridge Clubs, D.A.R., and she loved to play tennis and dance. She was a life-long learner and especially enjoyed studying history and her family genealogy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother. She is survived by her son, Joel and wife Dolly and their children, Noah, Idan, Gloria and Esther; son, Jon; son, Jeremy and his children, Caleb, Joshua, Sarah, Jacob and Luke.

All friends and family are welcome to attend the graveside service at Oakland Cemetery in Indiana, PA on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 1:00 pm. The Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home of Indiana is assisting with service arrangements.

Memorial gifts may be made to: The C.S. Lewis Institute, P.O. Box 6930 - McLean, VA 22106.

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