by M Reichenbach | July 1st, 2009
Joanne Portrait
Words don’t seem to do much good today.
It seems that over the years we keep seeing the old guard go quietly while we remain here to soldier on, one step after another. Breathing. Ourselves now becoming the “new” old guard. So it’s with sadness I write that one more of the old guard has gone.
Joanne passed Tuesday morning. She went quietly, my sister Laura holding her hand, talking to her of wonderful days spent in Mexico. Drinks on a sunny patio. Beautiful guests, cherished times past and of all the loved ones she had. She was from a more glamorous time. A former model, an Air Force Officer’s wife, she had an over abundance of class and grace. A Redhead to the end, I wish you could have had a chance to meet her and know her for her warmth and humor. She was a beauty, inside and out. She was our mom.
Here’s the obituary written by my sister Laura Hill.
Joanne Shannon Tefft, 83, died June 30 after a brief illness.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marguerite Rochelle Shannon and Joseph Campbell Shannon, husbands Joseph V. Reichenbach and Edward Creel Tefft, brother Samuel Shannon. She is survived by her children, Laura Hill (George Yanok) of Franklin, Tenn; Michael (Ann Marie) Reichenbach, New Hamburg, N.Y.; Mary (Ben) Ribble, LaGrange, N.Y. and Mark (Lisa) Reichenbach, Staten Island, N.Y. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jill Reichenbach (Steven) Secka, Astoria, N.Y.; Katherine and John Hill, Franklin, Tenn; Stephen and Michael Reichenbach, Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Jessica (Jed) Kehrl, Amber and Julie Skaretka, Hudson Valley, N.Y.; Elizabeth and Emily Reichenbach, Staten Island, N.Y.; great-grandchildren Joseph Jacobs and Julian Secka; sister in law Alice Shannon and nephew Jeff Shannon, Nashville, Tenn; aunt, Roberta Torrence, Nashville, Tenn; step-children Chip (Christie) Tefft, Aiken, S.C., and their children Edward, Emily and Warren Tefft; Clark (Tracy) Tefft, Atlanta, Ga.; many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
Up on the Roof
She returned to Nashville in 1976, following his death, and was one of the first representatives of then-new cable TV company, Viacom. In 1987 she married Ed Tefft. The couple lived in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, from 1986 to 2003. Mr. Tefft passed away in 2004. Known for her winning smile, vibrant sense of humor and gorgeous red hair, she was a devoted member of Christ Church Cathedral, the Democratic Party and the San Miguel Garden Club.
Joanne’s family thanks the loving caregivers who helped her in her journey, especially the amazing staff at Morningside at Belmont. They were a true gift. Visitation at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, at Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway, Nashville, with services to follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the scholarship fund of Harpeth Hall School, 3801 Hobbs Rd., Nashville, TN 37215, or Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203. Please sign the guest book for the family. CRAWFORD MORTUARY & CREMATORY, 2714 Grandview Avenue, Nashville, TN. 37211 (615) 254-8200
