On Sunday, August 28th, 2022, Janet Fonke Joseph, 66, received her heavenly reward after a lifetime of devotion to God and family. Born June 4th, 1956, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, to Vincent and Belle Fonke, she was an unexpected blessing after her identical twin, Joan was born. Together, the two of them were two halves of a strong pillar in the Fonke family. The family moved to Fayetteville in 1961 and immediately became dedicated members of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church. Janet was active in many ministries at Saint Patrick’s for the rest of her life. Her relationship with God was paramount, and her dedication was shown to all that knew her. She used many opportunities to teach others about her faith and in turn strengthened theirs, both in the church and in her community.
Janet was a devoted wife, mother, and Grammy. She and Philip were married August 1, 2015, and they filled their 7 years of marriage with a lifetime of love and devotion. When Janet met Philip, it was obvious that he was the missing piece for whom she had prayed for so long. Together they spent their time blending their families between Columbia, SC and Fayetteville, NC and forged strong relationships between their children for decades to come. She also prided herself on being a mother to her two girls, Christa, and Audrey. Janet was a strong role model in every way for her daughters, teaching them important core life lessons about faith, love, family, and work. The three of them forged an inseparable bond. The pride she had in her daughters was only amplified in the pride she had in being “Grammy” to their daughters. She was blessed with four beautiful grandbabies, Emerson, Haven, Maisie, and Gemma. Grammy was a role she was absolutely made for—it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. She took every opportunity to bring out her inner child and play with her granddaughters as she also taught her daughters even more about being a mother. She had a unique and beautiful relationship with all her girls that will forever be cherished by each one.
Another calling for Janet in life was that of a Paralegal, where she not only completed impeccable work, but she used her position to counsel, educate, and inspire clients within the world of estate planning. She navigated and walked hand-in-hand with clients through wills, estates, and trusts with a compassion and attention-to-detail that assisted many families during what was often a difficult time
Janet was a brilliant light throughout her life, with love being at the center of everything she did. Pure love does not demand, rather it is natural, gracious, and freeing. Janet was always aware that God’s love is the same measure: pure, constant, and selfless. She truly lived her life in love and embodied love in its finest form.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Vincent A. Fonke and Margaret Belle Fonke; her brother, Donald Fonke and his wife, Linda.
She is survived by her husband, Philip M. Joseph; her daughter, Christa Hedlund and husband, Brian, their children, Emerson and Haven; daughter, Audrey Joyce and husband, Drew, their children, Maisie and Gemma; stepsons, Matthew Joseph and wife, Madeline, their children, Kennedy and Bennett; Josh Joseph and wife, Beth, their children, Macy and John Paul; Thomas Joseph and wife, Christianne, and daughter, Anna; siblings, Dave Fonke (Donna), Daniel Fonke (Victoria), Jerry Fonke (Carolina), Joan Fonke Hurst (Jim), Donna Fonke Araghi (Mak), and Steve Fonke (Jolena); sister-in-law, Donna Joseph Furlong (Pete); brother-in-law, Michael Joseph; along with many nieces and nephews.
The service will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Saturday September 3, 2022, at 1pm with visitation in the family room starting at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in memory of Janet to made to Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church and/or GBMResearch.org
