Joanne M. Carpenter, 73, of Terry Street, entered into rest early Saturday morning (March 14, 2026) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY after a lengthy illness. It was 21 years go that Joanne had a partial liver transplant at Strong Memorial Hospital with her son, Bobby as the donor. According to Strong, she is their longest living survivor from a live donor.
Born in North Hornell, NY on May 10, 1952, she was a daughter of the late Harold and Beulah (Bennett) Stephens. Besides her parents, she was also predeceased by her husband of 36 years, Robert C. Carpenter; her brother, Larry Stephens; grandson, Michael Latham; her in- laws, Arthur and Rose Carpenter and her three beloved dogs, Lady, DJ and Maddie.
A lifelong resident of Hornell, Joanne was a graduate of Hornell High School and attended Alfred State College. Before her transplant, she was employed for many years as a Supervisor and the Coordinator of the Special Olympics for Steuben County Arc.
Joanne was a member of the Living waters Church in Hornell and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Corp. J.J. Mooney VFW Post No. 2250 also in Hornell.
She was an avid shopper and also enjoyed bingo, playing cards (especially Euchre) and trips to the Casinos.
Joanne is lovingly survived by her longtime significant other, Lawrence “Larry” French of Hornell; three children, Bobby (Glenda) Carpenter of Virginia, Stacy Roberts (Wayne Stonemetz) of Wellsville, NY and Stephen Carpenter of Hornell; one stepdaughter, Commande (Greg) Mitchell of Hornell; 10 grandchildren, Brittany (Lorenzo) Zaccaria, Nicholas Kerr, Theresa (Chris) Latham, Zachary (Karyssa) Roberts, Brent “BW” (Kaitlynn) Roberts, Steven Carpenter, September Carpenter, Scotty Rougeaux, Brandon Shattuck and Saralynn Donnelson; a granddaughter-in-law, Carla (Mark) Collins of Bolivar, NY; four sisters, Gloria (Pete) Fisher of Florida, Judy (Tom) Smith of Almond, NY, Bonnie Simms of Hornell and Brenda Gayhart-Franklin of Canisteo, NY; two sisters-in-law, Marcia Casterline-Johnson (George) and Connie (Pete) McDaniels all of Hornell; also her beloved dog, Allie; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Calling hours are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. FRIDAY (March 20, 2026) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell where a funeral and committal service will take place following calling hours at 1 p.m. FRIDAY with her sister-in-law, Marcia Casterline-Johnson officiating. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in her memory to Breast Cancer Research in care of the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 (cancer.org/donate/today) or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (stjude.org). Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home in Hornell is honored to assist Joanne’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Joanne are welcome at bishopdesanto.com or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
