Obituary for Joann Elizabeth Walthour
Joann Elizabeth Walthour, age 92, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2022, at Providence Point Senior Living Community in Pittsburgh.
She was born on May 29th, 1929 in Vandergrift, PA, the only child to Lawrence H. Walthour and Mabel Walthour (nee Baker).
Joann graduated from Vandergrift High School in 1947 and attended Pennsylvania College for Women (presently Chatham University), earning her Bachelor’s Degree in 1951. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Pittsburgh. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an honorary sorority for female educators.
Joann was a beloved teacher and Early Childhood Professor. In 1956, she began teaching Kindergarten at IUP’s University School. In 1988, she earned the Senate Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching– awarded by IUP in appreciation of outstanding teaching ability– and in 1991, she retired after 35 years of dedicated service to early childhood education.
Joann also loved to travel. She made lifelong friends wherever she went, and her friendly and outgoing nature enchanted people all over the world. She was a part of the People to People International Travel Delegation, whose mission is to foster international understanding and friendship between students of diverse cultures. She traveled extensively in Europe– England, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Italy, Germany, and Poland– as well as Iceland, China, and other parts of Asia. London, in particular, was among her favorite destinations– she loved the theater district, shopping at Liberty, Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, the stitching festivals at Bury St. Edmunds, and she especially loved High Tea. Joann spent large portions of her summers on Chautauqua Lake in upstate New York, where she made many friends and enjoyed attending the symphony, Sacred Song Services, and current events lectures at the Chautauqua Institution education center and resort town.
Everything Joann loved, she loved with a passion– flowers, travel, reading, the symphony, needle work of various kinds, teaching children, tea, and, of course, her friendships.
Joann is survived by her dear friends Victor and Eleanor Stelma, Judi Duffy, Angelo and Cristina Zucca, and their children Marisa Anderson, Angelo Zucca, Jr., and Mario Zucca.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father.
Friends will be received at Rairigh- Bence Funeral Home & Crematory, of Indiana, 965 Philadelphia St. on Thursday, February 24th from 11AM to 1PM. Her funeral service will begin at 1PM, Dr. Donald Chapman officiating. Interment will be private in Lewisburg Cemetery in Lewisburg, PA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to People to People International at ptpi.org
Online condolences may be offered by visiting rbfh.net
She was born on May 29th, 1929 in Vandergrift, PA, the only child to Lawrence H. Walthour and Mabel Walthour (nee Baker).
Joann graduated from Vandergrift High School in 1947 and attended Pennsylvania College for Women (presently Chatham University), earning her Bachelor’s Degree in 1951. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Pittsburgh. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an honorary sorority for female educators.
Joann was a beloved teacher and Early Childhood Professor. In 1956, she began teaching Kindergarten at IUP’s University School. In 1988, she earned the Senate Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching– awarded by IUP in appreciation of outstanding teaching ability– and in 1991, she retired after 35 years of dedicated service to early childhood education.
Joann also loved to travel. She made lifelong friends wherever she went, and her friendly and outgoing nature enchanted people all over the world. She was a part of the People to People International Travel Delegation, whose mission is to foster international understanding and friendship between students of diverse cultures. She traveled extensively in Europe– England, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Italy, Germany, and Poland– as well as Iceland, China, and other parts of Asia. London, in particular, was among her favorite destinations– she loved the theater district, shopping at Liberty, Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, the stitching festivals at Bury St. Edmunds, and she especially loved High Tea. Joann spent large portions of her summers on Chautauqua Lake in upstate New York, where she made many friends and enjoyed attending the symphony, Sacred Song Services, and current events lectures at the Chautauqua Institution education center and resort town.
Everything Joann loved, she loved with a passion– flowers, travel, reading, the symphony, needle work of various kinds, teaching children, tea, and, of course, her friendships.
Joann is survived by her dear friends Victor and Eleanor Stelma, Judi Duffy, Angelo and Cristina Zucca, and their children Marisa Anderson, Angelo Zucca, Jr., and Mario Zucca.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father.
Friends will be received at Rairigh- Bence Funeral Home & Crematory, of Indiana, 965 Philadelphia St. on Thursday, February 24th from 11AM to 1PM. Her funeral service will begin at 1PM, Dr. Donald Chapman officiating. Interment will be private in Lewisburg Cemetery in Lewisburg, PA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to People to People International at ptpi.org
Online condolences may be offered by visiting rbfh.net