Rest in Power, Sister Johntony

JoAnn Johntony, 82, of Girard, passed away Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, following an extended illness.

JoAnn was born June 30, 1941, in Niles, the daughter of William Shirley and Zola Barbara Tomlin Estes. However, JoAnn spent her entire life as a proud Girard resident, a in 1959 from Girard High School.

She dedicated her life to family, service and the pursuit for equality. She balanced two worlds — her family and her union.

JoAnn worked for 52 years with Girard City Schools. Along with her husband, Nick, they were instrumental in organizing the Girard school employees with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE). JoAnn served as the chapter president for many years.

JoAnn was actively involved in support of the first state collective-bargaining bill and years later saving this right from being dissolved with Senate Bill 5.

JoAnn was proud of her humble upbringing, going from a “kid from under the bridge” to serving as Northeast Ohio OAPSE president for a number of years and eventually as the state president for OAPSE over 34 years. JoAnn served on many local, state and national committees for OAPSE, AFCSME, Coalition of Labor Union Women, Trumbull-Mahoning Labor Council and AFL-CIO.

"Sister JoAnn gave everything she had to helping workers, fighting for union members and supporting the labor movement.  On behalf of the Ohio labor family, we offer our sincere condolences for this great loss and honor JoAnn’s legacy in our fight for economic and social justice," said Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga

Read more about JoAnn's amazing life as a worker activist and union leader here