Dear Phyllis, John, and Kevin,

Please accept my condolences for the passing of your beloved sister and aunt. Joan and I were the best of friends growing up. We were inseparable. I loved her like a sister. I have so many wonderful memories of us spending time together. If she was not as my house on Friday night for Sabbath dinner, I was at her house eating pasta.

Everyone that knew her and loved her will miss her. May her memory live on in our hearts forever.

Sari Mintz Gersten

Dear Phyliss,

I have the very best memories of growing up with Joanie. We were part of the Stanton Heights girls and now there will now be a big void.

So many sleepovers.... and the antics were many from early on through Peabody HS.

Loved when your mom and grandmother would start making their xmas cookies early and tasting them ALL after school .

I will cherish all we experienced growing up together while remembering Joanies Big smile.

may her memory be a blessing

sandi seltzer bryant, Houston, Texas

Heartfelt condolences on the sudden passing of Joan, your beloved and cherished sister, aunt and friend.....may her memory always be a blessing.

Ilene and Bud Shapiro

Joan became a dear friend when I moved to Westminster Palms six years ago and we discovered we were both from Western Pennsylvania. We celebrated birthdays and holidays, travelled together and shared lots of joys and laughter. I considered her one of my very best friends and am grateful she was part of my life. She will certainly be missed.

Beverly Pilsbury

To Phyllis and your family. Over the years, I have enjoyed times, meals, and chit-chat with Joan. She was always upbeat and cheerful, with a smile throughout. She will be remembered and will live in our memories forever.

Carole Hinshaw.

Lisa Valanti

Joan has been a 'family' member since she first befriended my sister Lydia over 50 years ago. She always brought joy and good cheer into every environment she entered. Despite her own health difficulties she never made an encounter about her, rather she was simply a delight.....perhaps it is exactly that shining light, that presence, that laugh, she had such a great laugh, her empathy, her generosity, her twinkle....she was a sister....the abyss that she leaves of course can never be filled, each of us unique, but she was BEST, and not one of many, but BEST to us. That is an accomplishment, her kindness....we are all devastated by her loss.

There are no consolations to such a massive rupture in the friendships, relationships that shape our lives, that we rely on to help us navigate our daily existence. Joan made life sparkle. We will miss her forever. We were honored by her love, we are grateful to have known her, loved her, cherished her.

For her family, we can only offer condolences, they know as well as we do the immeasurable loss, and the grief we share.

Phyllis & Family,

You have my deepest sympathies in the loss of your dear Sister, Joan. It is SO difficult to lose a sibling and I see that you've already been through this before. I hope that your precious memories of Joan will bring you much comfort. Take care.

Ace Falkenhan Pacy

There are no words in any language to express the depth of loss we feel for our dear and loving friend. Her smiling face, cheerful demeanor, and depth of loving friendship were her mark upon our souls. She gave us the best reason to spend our winters in St Pete and it was a blessing to able to live so very close to her. Lydia spoke and saw her everyday and her friendship to us was a gift beyond value. Her loss was devastating and she will be deeply missed. We must now turn our attention to all of the special moments we shared through the many decades of our friendship.

I had the honor to call Joan my Best Friend. We have known each other for almost 50yrs. Her outgoing, friendly, warm and fuzzy personality was always a pleasure to be around. She was a storyteller of life and I loved listening to her tales. We shared many adventures, from college and our semester abroad to the University of Lueven, Belgium, to escapades on the cruise ships. We shared the ups and downs of our relationships and the joys and sorrows of family and everyday life. We have laughed and hugged and always looked forward to seeing each other and spending time together. She was a such wonderful friend and I was lucky to know her. I will always love Joan and she will be missed more then I can express.

I've known Joan since college days at Duquesne, where she became my sister Lydia's life long best friend. Always cheerful and supportive, loquacious with grace and humor, Joan was the right kind of person to have as a best friend, so I think Lydia has been blessed. We in Lydia's family enjoyed the periphery of Joan's light, a gift she shared with all. Her absence will be keenly felt - forever. Love and rest, Joan.