Joanne M. Forlini, 71, of Rock Island passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at her home following a battle with pancreatic cancer. The Rosary will be prayed at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Rock Island and Visitation will follow from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Monday at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rock Island. Entombment will take place at Calvary Mausoleum, Rock Island. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in care of the Women's Choice Center Capital Campaign or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Joanne Marie Horch was born on September 11, 1944 in Brooklyn, NY, a daughter of Harold Sr. and Vivian (Hirschi) Horch. Joanne graduated from the Brooklyn Hospital School of Nursing in 1965, working in the healthcare industry until 1970. In 1999, she graduated from St. Ambrose University with a degree in Special Studies. She married Dr. Frank Forlini, Jr. on July 19, 1969 in Brooklyn, NY. He preceded her in death in 2004.

Joanne and Frank lived all over the United States; including New York, California, Texas and Rock Island, IL. She was a traveler who visited places worldwide, including nearly all of Europe and the Mediterranean, without losing her Brooklyn accent.

She was very strong in her faith and served on many committees at St. Pius X Catholic Church, where she and Frank belonged. She was on the Parish Council, Liturgy Committee, Liturgical Life Committee, and she also served as a Eucharistic Minister. Joanne was a member of the Funeral Choir, a Lector and the Coordinator of the Plus 50 group. Joanne had a special interest in medieval and ancient history with an emphasis on the Crusades and Egyptology. Joanne had a special place in her heart for the Brooklyn Dodgers, although she never forgave them for leaving New York, and the Dallas Cowboys. She cherished her grandchildren and had a deep love for all of her family.

Left to cherish her memory are her children; Anne Marie (Bryce) Amacher, Rock Island, Victoria (David Wilson) Forlini, Arlington, VA, Frank (Lori) Forlini III, Bennington, NE and Anthony Forlini, Rock Island; grandchildren, Alexandra Amacher, Andrew Amacher, Olivia Forlini and Antonia Wilson; siblings, Harold Horch, Jr., Catherine Horch and Marie Horch, all of Brooklyn, NY; as well as her nieces, a nephew and many other loving family members

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank and her parents.