Joan Marie Battisti

JOAN M. BATTISTI Of Oakland, Pa.   Joan Marie (Houlihan) Battisti, 82, a life-long resident of Susquehanna, PA, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2018 at Bradford County Manor in Troy, PA. She was the wife of the late Sandino (Sandy) Battisti. They were married for 56 years when he passed in 2008. She was born in Taylor, PA., the daughter of Carl and Louise Houlihan.     Joan was a loving mother who was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren. She leaves behind her two daughters, Lou Ann and her husband Michael Kilmer of Wyalusing, PA, and Elaine DeCastro-Greenlief and her husband Doug Greenlief of Charleston, SC; and one son and daughter in law, David and Renee Battisti of Malvern, PA. She was also extremely proud of her seven grandchildren, Joshua Kilmer and his wife Susan Kilmer, Ethan Kilmer and his wife Tifany, Maria (DeCastro) and her husband Nick Van De Weert, Matthew DeCastro and his wife Alicia, Justin Kilmer, Cameron Battisti, and Alexandra Battisti; and her seven great-grandchildren, Elizabeth and Noah Kilmer; Connor, Charlotte and Samuel DeCastro; Hadley Van De Weert; and Caleb Kilmer. In addition, she is survived by sister –in-law Catherine Battisti, her loving niece, Ann Finemore (John), and nephew, John (Jack) Battisti, and a host of close friends.   She was predeceased by her husband Sandy, her parents, infant twin sons, David and Joseph; father and mother in law, Louis and Elena Battisti, brother Jack Houlihan, brothers in law John, Dominic and Julius Battisti and special uncle and aunt Joseph and Catherine Carrigg.   Joan was a 1952 graduate of Laurel Hill Academy and worked for over 40 years at numerous places in the greater Susquehanna area. She was a C.N.A. and especially loved caring for the elderly in their homes. An active, recognizable and vibrant fixture in the Susquehanna community for decades, Joan was a proud and longstanding supporter of the Susquehanna Fire Company where she served in various leadership positions in the women’s Auxillary. In addition, she was a dedicated member of the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Susquehanna, and was active in numerous other local organizations.   The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 7, 2018 from 2 PM – 4 PM followed by the rosary at Hennessey’s Funeral Home, 747 Jackson Avenue, Susquehanna, PA 18847. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, January 8, 2018 at 10:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Susquehanna. Burial will be at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Susquehanna at the convenience of the family.    We thank God for the gift of Joan’s life and the joy with which she lived it, and cherish the blessing of the time we all had to share and spend with her.   Memorial contributions may be made in Joan’s name to the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 15 E. Church St. Susquehanna, PA. 18847 or the Susquehanna Community Fire Department, PO Box 175 Susquehanna, PA 18847.