Obituary of Joan Anne Hartmann

Joan Anne Hartmann, 61, passed away peacefully and gracefully September 6, 2008 as the sun came out over Ridgewood Healthcare - Aseracare Hospice after a 14-year battle with cancer. Born in Akron April 9, 1947, Joan was a 1965 graduate of Akron East High School and a 1970 graduate of Kent State University. Joan was broker-owner of Hartmann Realty and Appraisal Company and she single handedly "broke the glass ceiling" of the appraisal industry by being the first female real estate appraiser in Ohio. She was mentor and teacher to many as an instructor of Appraisal and Real Estate Law at John Carroll University. Joan was always ahead of her time and was "Mother Earth" to her many KSU sub-hub friends. She enjoyed gardening, decorating, and especially baking. She was renown for her Christmas cookie baking with her specialties being Russian cookies, baklava, and poppy seed and nut rolls. Joan was preceded by her beloved parents, Anne Marie and Ernest Russell Hartmann, her loyal feline companions, Smokey Einstein and Blue Magic, and many dear grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Joan's greatest pride did not come from her academic achievements, her business acumen, or her talents as a homemaker and chef. Her greatest joy was her son, Norman Briton. Joan's goal was to live long enough to see her son graduate from Norton High School and her dream was realized on June 3, 2008 when she got to actually see him walk across the stage to receive his diploma. For that extended time that she had, we are eternally grateful. Joan is survived by her son, Norman Briton, her beloved sister, caregiver, and best friend, Helen Marie Hartmann, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Norman and Helen wish to thank Dr. Saif U. Rehman and his staff and Ridgewood Healthcare - Aseracare Hospice. A most heartfelt thank you to Patricia and Vera Joan Biller, Patricia Boyle, Barbara Christ, Janine and Richard Dudones, Martha and Millie Gebhart, Mary Ann "Marish" Horschak, Marilyn and Virgil Nitz, Lena Vidahl, and Joan's special friend and champion, Thomas "Tom" Kovasznai of Ridgewood. Joan's family would also like to thank Norton High School and Norman's wonderful friends and their parents for their continued support over this last year. Your many kindnesses are so greatly appreciated. God bless you all. Joan's wishes were simple. A gathering of family and friends will be held Wednesday 6-8 p.m. at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main Street. Memorials may be made to the family to defray medical and funeral costs. (Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 330-724-1281, www. Kakfh.com).