Joanne E. Rapson, a 45 year resident of Hermitage, passed away Friday afternoon, November 6, 2015, in her home, after an extended illness. She was 80. Mrs. Rapson was born June 5, 1935, in New Castle, a daughter of Paul and Frances Myers Bees. She was a 1953 graduate of New Castle High School and moved to Hermitage in 1970. Joanne was a homemaker and an active member of Faith Presbyterian Church, Hermitage, where she served as a Sunday School and Summer Bible School instructor. Prior to having children, she was employed by Bell Telephone and after raising her family she worked at a number of retail stores, including Gabrielle's and K Mart, both in Hermitage. She also volunteered as a Girl Scout leader in New Castle and Hermitage. Joanne was an excellent knitter and made countless afghans and scarves which she generously gave to others. She also liked to crochet. Along with her husband, she enjoyed camping and traveling by motor coach throughout the United States. Together they logged more than 180 trips. Surviving are: her husband of nearly 60 years, Donald Rapson, whom she married November 19, 1955 in Northminster Presbyterian Church, New Castle; two daughters, Marcee D. Foltz and her husband Jeffrey, New Wilmington; and Jodi J. Waldron and her husband Jeffrey, Toledo, Ohio; two sons, Bradley Rapson and Doug Rapson and his wife Darlene, all Hermitage; six grandchildren, Tyler and Derek Waldron; Lauren and Katie Foltz; and Tom and Raymond Maybray; a sister, Jane Johnson, New Castle; a brother, Richard Bees and his wife Mary Grace "Mo" ,Warren, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews. Joanne was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Jeanne and Ruth Bees; and a brother-in-law, Robert Johnson. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Faith Presbyterian Church, 2370 N. Hermitage Rd., Hermitage, PA 16148. Calling hours will be from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday, November 11, 2015, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Entombment: Castleview Memorial Park mausoleum, New Castle, PA.