Helen Joan Story Empey, “Joanie”, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2024, at the age of 80. 

Born in Tonawanda, NY, Joanie was the daughter of Helen Purcell Story and James Blaisdell Story. Joanie spent her childhood in Bradford, graduated from Bradford High School in 1962, and attended Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. 

After completing a course of study at Rochester Business Institute, Joanie was employed by Eastman Kodak.  She resided in Rochester, NY until her 1966 marriage to Robert Empey, to whom she was married for 48 years. 

Joanie devoted herself to her family, establishing homes in 7 different states as her husband’s work locations changed.  She was an animal lover and adopted a number of cats and dogs along the way.  She took supreme joy in her daughter, Diane Spencer (Jeffrey) of Lexington, KY, and granddaughter, Erin Spencer of Charleston, SC. Joanie and her husband relocated one last time from Bartlett, TN to Nicholasville, KY to be in close proximity to Diane and her family, and she spent her final years in Lexington.  She was the beloved sister of Patricia Lopresti of Portland, OR, and Nancy Kilpatrick of Arlington, VA.  She enjoyed a lifelong friendship with Jacquelyn Villott Jones of Bradford.  Joanie is survived by her former husband, as well as three nieces and a nephew.  All remember her kindness, laughter and sense of fun.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 11 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Bradford.  Prior to the Mass, guests will be received from 10:30 to 11 AM.  Following the Mass, The Rite of Committal will take place at St. Bernard Cemetery, where Joanie will be laid to rest next to her parents’ gravesites. 

Donations may be made in her memory to the Humane Society or to local animal shelters.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com