Joann S. Lafferty

JOANN " BIRDIE”  S. LAFFERTY (nee Shurmer), age 95, beloved wife for 72 years of Frederic, MD; loving mother of Scott (wife Susan), Mark, MD (wife Trudy), John (wife NancieMarie), Peter, MD (wife Stephanie); devoted grandmother of Christy, Juliann, Peter, Clint, Matt, Paul, Jake, Victoria, Garrett, Bryn, and Peyton and great-grandmother of 8; cherished daughter of the late Rollin and Eva (nee Williams) Shurmer; dear sister of the late Lucille West (husband Myron deceased) and the late Robert Shurmer; sister-in-law of the late Suzanne McMullen; dear aunt of Dick and Jack West, and great-aunt of many.

Born in Cleveland on September 16, 1930, Joann graduated from Cleveland Heights High School in 1948 and then attended Flora Stone Mather College, Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Institute of Art, graduating in 1952 with a B.A. in Art Education.

She married Frederic Wood Lafferty, June 13, 1953, and joined her husband in Boston, MA, where he was a Harvard Medical School student. Following 3 years in Silver Spring, MD, and the Washington, D.C. area, she returned to Cleveland with her family, including 2 sons in 1959. After residing in Cleveland Heights for 10 years, and adding 2 more sons to the household, Joann lived her remaining years in the home she and Fred built in 1969 in Moreland Hills, Ohio.

Joann was a consummate wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, with an infectious smile. Raising 4 sons, she was loving, creative, and tenacious, each when needed. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was devoted to caring for her husband, especially over the last 6 years. She was always happiest when surrounded by her family.

Joann was a wonderful artist who loved creating, studying, and teaching art. She served well over 5 years as a docent at the Cleveland Museum of Art and cherished visiting the museum. Her love of the arts was also shared through her service as part of the Women’s Committee of the Cleveland Ballet for 5 years, and through regular attendance at Cleveland Orchestra concerts, both at Severance Hall and Blossom Music Center. Joann relished the annual visits with her husband to the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

Joann died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on November 16, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Joann to Hospice of the Western Reserve at Huntington Bank P.O. Box 72700, Cleveland, OH 44192. Celebration of Life Service, Saturday November 29, 2025, at 12:00 noon at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID, 4600 MAYFIELD RD. (just East of Green Road). The family invites friends to stay for a reception following from 1-3 pm to share memories and to celebrate the life of Joann. A private burial will be on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at Lake View Cemetery.