Joan ‘Jodi’ Rita Gaunt, payroll manager

Joan (Jodi) Rita Gaunt, 81, of Lewes, passed away peacefully in her sleep, at her home, surrounded by her family, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. She was born Monday, Feb. 10, 1936, in Milwaukee, Wis., daughter of the late Edward John and Marie Evelyn (Lieknam) Witzlsteiner.

Mrs. Gaunt worked for many years as a payroll manager at American University in Washington, D.C., from which she retired. She enjoyed crafting, book club and going to the YMCA in her spare time. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend who will be missed by all who knew her.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Gaunt was preceded in death by her brother and two sisters. She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Kemp Norris Gaunt of Lewes; her three daughters: Lori Rowzie (Brian) of Sykesville, Md., Dana Lilly of Ocean View and Lisa Gaunt (Debbie) of Dundalk, Md.; her son, David Gaunt (Vicki); her grandchildren: Tracey Roberts (Quinten) of Glen Burnie, Md., Melissa Rowzie (Justin) of Melbourne, Fla., David Lilly Jr. (Ashley) of Manchester, Md., Michael Jamshidi of Tempe, Ariz., Michelle Jamshidi of Morgantown, W.Va., Tiffany Milnor of Arlington, Va., Johnathan Gaunt of Mt. Airy, Md., and Brooke Gaunt of Morgantown; and eight great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, Sept. 14, at 11 a.m., at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mrs. Gaunt's name may be made to St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church at the address listed above.

Please visit Mrs. Gaunt's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.