KENT, Conn.—JoAnne Svehla Pappano passed away peacefully at her home in Kent on Tuesday, Feb. 25, following a long battle with lung cancer. She was 80.
Born Sept. 4, 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio, Pappano was the beloved life partner of Robert W. Norton of Kent, and the mother of four children, Laura Pappano of Seattle, Wash., and New Haven, Conn.; Margaret Pappano of Kingston, Ontario; Dante Pappano of Knoxville, Tenn.; and Andrea Pappano of Madison, Ala.
Pappano was a 1962 graduate of Cleveland Heights High School. She attended Ohio University and Western Connecticut State University. She spent the bulk of her work life in advertising sales for local newspapers, including The New Milford Times, The Pawling-Patterson News- Chronicle, and the Kent Good Times Dispatch.
She concluded her career at The Litchfield County Times, where she had also served as assistant publisher. She was recognized as a fierce advocate for small business, and was loved, respected and trusted by many area merchants. She also ran her own sewing machine repair and catering businesses.
Despite her powerful work ethic, Pappano was known for her even temperament, her non-judgmental and accepting attitude, ability to listen, empathize, and dispense no-nonsense advice. She was a talented gardener and baker, celebrated for her vibrant flower gardens and spectacular trays of Christmas cookies.
She was also a voracious reader, a competitive bridge player, interested in local and national issues, a cat lover and advocate, and a loyal friend and confidant. She exemplified generosity, thoughtfulness, patience, and deep caring.
Pappano took an active role in the lives of her children, their partners, and her 10 grandchildren. She and Norton were known to build horse sheds and decks, plant massive gardens, and run an annual “Camp Kent” week-long outing in Macedonia State Park for the grandchildren. Full of fun and positivity, she imbued everything with a sense of adventure. Those who knew her considered her a treasure, a rare person who thrived on making others happy but also knew herself how to love and appreciate what life gave her.
In addition to her partner and four children, JoAnne leaves their partners, Thomas Lynch of Seattle, Wash., and New Haven, Conn.; Adnan Husain of Kinston, Ontario; Ellen Pappano of Knoxville, Tenn., and Spencer Guida of Madison, Ala. She also leaves nine grandchildren, Olivia Lynch, Molly Lynch, Donovan Lynch, Georgia Pappano, Madeline Pappano, Samantha Pappano, Maille Pappano, Chase Guida, and Hamza Husain. She was predeceased by her cherished grandson, Maxwell Guida. She is also survived by a sister, Georgeanne Trebst, of Friedberg, Germany.
A celebration of life event will be held in Kent, CT on April 5, 2025. Please see the Lillis Funeral Home website or contact the family for more information. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Kent Library Association.
