Joan O. Maksa Picchiarini – Belle Vernon
Joan O. Maksa Picchiarini, 92, of North Belle Vernon went to be with the Lord on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in her home surrounded by her loving family. A daughter of the late George and Anna Derzy Maksa, she was born on Jan. 5, 1931, in Belle Vernon. She was a member of St. Sebastian Church in Belle Vernon; she attended daily Mass as long as she was able; she was active in the church and sang for several years in the funeral choir. She was an Eucharistic minister and took communion to the homebound until it became harder for her to walk. She was employed for many years at Hills Department Store in Belle Vernon. In their retirement, Joan and “Pic” enjoyed visiting their children and grandchildren in Florida and Texas during the winter months. Survivors include five daughters and four sons-in-law, Karen and Gary Rowland, Mary Jo Podroskey, Laure and Jim Kulik, all of Belle Vernon, Joanie and Terrence Sullivan of Ocean Springs, Miss., and Jamie and Brendan Coyne of Belle Vernon; four sons and daughters-in-law, Bill and Pam Picchiarini of Boca Raton, Florida, Ed Picchiarini and Susan Acquaro of Pittsburgh, John and Kelly Picchiarini of Fort Pierce, Fla., and Barry and Karin Picchiarini of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; 19 grandchildren, Kym Picchiarini, Amber Picchiarini, Josh and Mandy Rowland, Melanie and Luke Baer, Matthew Rowland, Jennie and Sean McClurg, Jared and Erin Podroskey, Neal Podroskey, Erin and Chase Kreger, Jimmy Kulik, Ryan Kulik, William Picchiarini, Aubrey Sullivan, Aiden Sullivan, Bryce Coyne, Jade Coyne, Skylar, Avery and Blair Picchiarini; and one step-granddaughter, Tori and Matt Dahle; 14 great-grandchildren, Trey Pallo, Hailey and Kylie Rowland, Tenley, Brodey and Josey Baer, Andrew, Leah, Brianna and Eliza Rowland, Kolten and Westen McClurg, Leo and Logan Podroskey; three step-great-grandchildren Bayla, Emery and Griffin Dahle; one sister, Jean Patterson; one sister-in-law, Yvonne Parks; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, her soulmate and high school sweetheart and husband of 64 years, Bill Picchiarini; three sisters and their husbands, Ethel and Earl Dunkerly, Betty and Thomas Mayernik, and Evelyn and George Adams; brother, George Melvin Maksa and his first wife, Bernice Maksa, and his second wife, Rosemary Maksa; two brothers-in-law, Thomas Patterson and Thomas Parks; one niece, Cheryl Patterson; and three nephews, Tommy Maksa, and Jeffery and Ronald Adams. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., 700 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon. 724-929-5300, www.FergusonFuneralHomeandCrematory.com. A blessing will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday in the funeral home, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church with Father Michael Crookston as celebrant. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Joan’s children want to thank Amedisys Hospice for their wonderful care and assistance; we are forever grateful for your kindness. In lieu of mass cards or flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church or St. Sebastian Regional Catholic School in Belle Vernon.
