Johanna Elizabeth Redeye -
formally of Salamanca, passed awaypeacefully at Seneca Manor Healthcare Center in West Seneca after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 77 years old. She is survived by her two daughters, Nancy Redeye (John Cappellino) of Eden, NY, Karen Redeye of Chicago, Illinois and her two sons, Martin Redeye (Michele) of Detroit, Michigan and Kevin Redeye of Salamanca, a sister, Paula Kulchin (Bernie) of San Diego, California, brothers Fred Jacobson (Connie) and Arthur Jacobson (Theresa) of Salamanca, seven grandchildren in New York, Michigan, Texas and California and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins locally and across the United States. She was a great friend of Bill for over 30 years. She also leaves behind many devoted and cherished friends locally and in her new hometown of Pembroke, Georgia.
Born on July 24, 1942 to Francis (Hyde) and Leonard Jacobson of Salamanca, she graduated from Salamanca High School in 1960 and began studying nursing before changing her focus to education. After moving to Ithaca, NY in 1961, she attended Tompkins County Community College and completed her Bachelor’s degree in education at SUNY Cortland all while raising three children. She began teaching in 1969 at SouthhillElementary School in Ithaca, NY before returning to Salamanca in 1975 to teach at Salamanca High School, Ellicottville High School and the John G. Oliverio Youth Camp in Great Valley, NY. She retired from teaching in 2004 after several years of teaching in Savannah, Georgia. Pembroke, Georgia was her home for the last 19 years where she found great joy in her volunteer activities, her church, participating in the Bryan County Democratic Committee and spending time with her many close friends.
Johanna’s greatest joy in life was in helping others. After teaching during the day her attentions turned to helping those in need whether it was tutoring students, volunteering as an EMT or helping a friend in need. She loved music and played the piano since childhood. She shared her musical talent by playing the organ for several local churches in Salamanca and the high school choral groups. Her own composition, “Mr. Moon”, was a featured song during a high school concert in the late 90’s. After retirement she stayed active in her church and volunteered at the Women’s Detention Center in Claxton, Georgia.
Along with her passion for music, Johanna loved animals of all kinds. She cared for and adopted countless cats and dogs throughout her lifetime. She was always surrounded by furry friends including her three horses, two of which she raised since birth. She and her horse, Ellie, traveled together to Wyomingfor a trail riding adventure in the 1990’s with the Crosspatch Ranch of Little Valley, NY.
Friends and families may leave messages of condolence at Loomis and Loomis Funeral Home’s website at www.LoomisoffersandLoomis.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Johanna’s name to her church, Alpha United Methodist Church, 5 Hwy 80 E, Bloomingdale, GA, 31302 or via online at www.alphaumc.com. Funeral arrangements will be private.