JoAnn Marie Childress (nee Bacacio), 85, of Amherst passed away peacefully at her home on December 25, 2022. Upon her request, there will be no showing or service. Her family will have a private celebration of her life. She was a graduate of Lorain High School, Class of 1956 B and went on to study cosmetology. She started her own business as a hairdresser out of her own home. While raising her two children as a single parent, she attended college at Lorain County Community College and became a registered nurse, later earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bowling Green State University. Her career started in the maternal child department of St. Joseph Hospital and continued at Mercy Health until her retirement in 2004. Even after her retirement, she felt she had more to give and became a volunteer, mainly in the mammography department. She continued to volunteer until the pandemic eliminated the opportunity. She was devoted to women's health and was a co-winner of the Ruth Calta award in 2012. JoAnn touched the lives of so many people. During outings with her family and visits to the doctor's office, individuals would share stories of her participation in their postpartum recovery. Even her most recent hospitalization brought her caregivers to relive many of their memories with her. She is survived by her children; daughter Christine Rein (Ostrander) of Amherst and son Harold (Mary) Ostrander of Taylorsville, Kentucky, grandchildren; Eric (Aleesha) Ostrander of Spring Hill, Tennessee, Brittany Ostrander of Wooster, Anna Rein of Amherst, Brent Coleman and Ciara Tribble of Kentucky, great grandchildren; Caleb, Audree, Marlee, Ayden, MJ, and Amillia, and nephews Thomas and Anthony Fesler of Lexington. JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband Frank Childress (2005), sister Marlene Fesler (2020), two grandchildren in infancy, and her parents Anthony (2001) and Elvira Bacacio (1978). In lieu of flowers, her children request donations be made to the Mercy Mammography Department or Mercy New life Hospice, or a charity of your choice. Garland-Misencik Funeral Home, Amherst, entrusted with arrangements.