Joanne Brinker

JoAnne DeMarse, (DeDe) passed away peacefully at home on April 28, 2012 after a long, wonderful, and fulfilling life. DeDe died from complications of pulmonary disease 23 years after her initial bout with lung cancer. She was the beloved wife of W. Scott Brinker for 41years. DeDe is survived by four sons from a previous marriage: Edward, William (Stephanie Erb), Robert, and Henry Sawyer as well as two stepsons: Bill (Abby Silver) and Tom Brinker. She also leaves five grandchildren: Cooper, Farley, Eliza, Katie, and Adeline Sawyer as well as two sisters: Mrs. Sue Hahn of Richmond, Indiana, Mrs. Margaret (Peggy) Hater of Dayton, and a brother, William DeMarse of Tampa, Florida. DeDe was born in Dayton, Ohio on August 2, 1930 and graduated from Oakwood High School before attending the Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. In 1954 she first moved to Glendale, Ohio and became active in a wide variety of community, social, charitable, and athletic organizations for the next 55 years; including The Junior League of Cincinnati, The Children's Theater, LADD, Cincinnati Tennis Club (serving as the first woman board member), The Western Tennis Championships, The ATP Tennis Tournament, The Alter Circle of Christ Church Glendale, The Cincinnati Garden Club, The Glendale Garden Club, The Glendale Lyceum, and the Camargo Club. DeDe lived an active life excelling at tennis, golf and skiing. As an amateur tennis player, DeDe was top-ranked in the Ohio Valley Tennis Association. She helped organize and run tennis and paddle-tennis tournaments for a variety of organizations in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland. For twenty years, she volunteered led, and chaperoned ski trips with schools and ski clubs, helping people enjoy the thrill of travel and the mountains. DeDe, Scott, and family spent several years in Sewickley, Pennsylvania and Cleveland, Ohio before moving back to Cincinnati in 1987. DeDe was a successful business owner of Cricklewood Mens Clothing in Sewickley and Twix Kids, a childrens boutique, in Glendale, which received the "Best of the City" award in 2002 from Cincinnati Magazine. DeDe will best be remembered as a dedicated volunteer for Greater Cincinnati causes, a devoted mother to her six sons, and a caring individual who always found the best in others. A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 11, 2012 at 1:30 PM at Christ Church Glendale followed by a celebratory gathering at the Glendale Lyceum. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to LADD, 3603 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45229 or Henry the Hand Foundation, 11714 Lebanon Road, Cincinnati, OH 45241.