Joan Ruth Kotala
May 30, 1934 ~ July 10, 2008
Resided in:
Arden, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Joan Kotala, 74, of Arden, died Thursday, July 10, 2008 at the Memorial campus of Mission Hospitals.
A native of Aliquippa, PA, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Julia Baycura Conrady.
Joan was a member of St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Arden.
She is survived by her loving husband, James, to whom she would have been married for 50 years on July 19.
She is also survived by two daughters, Karen Ledford and her fiance, Bob Sherman, of Brick, NJ and Lori Paul, her husband, Zig, and their daughter, Hannah, all of Bradenton, FL; two sisters, Louise MacCurdy and her husband, Jay, of Ohio and Betty Manfredi of GA and sister of the heart (cousin), Janet Makar.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, July 14, 2008 at the Basilica of St. Lawrence with the Reverend Morris Boyd officiating.
Interment will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, July 14, 2008 at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.
A service of remembrance and celebration of life, conducted by Chaplain Dorri Sherrill, will be held at 6:00 PM on Sunday, July 13, 2008 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. The family will receive friends following until 8:30 PM.
The family suggests that memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA, 23058-5216.
Dear Jim and family – I was was shocked and saddened when I read of your loss in the paper. I had been away for weeks only to be saddened by the news and by not being here to at least be with you during this dificult ordeal.
Joan was such a special person that all who knew her will miss her. You are in my prayers and thoughts and hope these words will help in some small way to celebrate her life
Dear Jim,
We are deeply saddened to hear of your loss. Everyone that knew Joan will miss her and cherish the friendship they shared with her. She was a very special person and made this earth a better place to live for everyone that was touched by her kindness and personality. We will continue to pray for you and the girls and especially for little Hannah. Carry on my friend as Joan would not want you to sulk in your sorrows but celebrate the wonderful ‘FULL’ life the two of you had together for nearly fifty years. Please feel free to call upon us if we can do anything for you. I look forward to spending some time with you soon!
Glenn & Renee’ Felts
Joan was a beautiful and unusually kind and friendly person who never met a person she didn’t like. She had the unique ability to meet a complete stranger and instantaneously become very close friends. Joan’s quick smile and her kind and always present sense of humor made her a person that will always be remembered. We are very fortunate to have known Joan and will always harbor those memories of the wonderful times we spent with her. We always felt the earth was a better place when Joan was here and now we are quite sure heaven will be a lot better place also. We are grateful for all the special memories she has left with us, and Joan will be remembered in all our prayers.
Dear Jim,
I was saddened to read of Joan’s passing. I know how difficult this must be for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Although my memories of Joan are from many, many years ago, I still remember her sunny disposition and our phone calls from the ‘Westinghouse’ days.
You and your daughters can draw strength from the years Joan was with you . . . now her spiritual presence will comfort you.
Dear Jim, Karen and Lori,
Words can’t express how saddened we were to hear of Joan’s passing. She was one of our oldest and dearest friends and we’ll always remember our many long conversations and good times we’ve shared over the years. Joan never met a stranger and had such a generous personality.
You will be missed dear friend.
Uncle Jim, Karen and Lori & Family, please know my heart is with you during this difficult time. My sincerest sympathies. May God keep you in your time of sorrow. Love, Carlene (& Family)
Jim and Family,
Chad and I were very saddened to read about Joan. You both brightened our day when we would see you come into Selu. Joan always had a beautiful smile to greet us with and genuine concern for us. You both became very important to us and we pray that you will find comfort during all that you are going through. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you need anything..we will be praying for you.
Take Care–Alisha and Chad
Jim and family, We never lose the ones we love even though they’re gone. Within our hearts their memory lingers on.
Death is hard for those who love. Take consolation in Joan’s passing as journey to a better world in God’s loving arms.
Sincerely. Liz Guy. A friend of Lou’s.
With Sincere Sympthany to the family.
To: Lou ( Conrady ) MacCurdy
May the memory of your loved one —
Joan _-become a treasure that you cherish forever.
Take comfort in God’s love during this time of sorrow.
Peace and prayers, Liz
Jim and family,
Joan was a precious friend to us and we certainly loved her dearly.
Although this is a sad and difficult time, we trust that your faith and your memories will sustain you.
Our love to you,
Carol and Michael
Dear Jim, we are so sad to learn of Joan’s passing and send our deepest sympathy. Norma has known Joannie since they went to Garfield College together in Beaver Falls in 1952 and our friendship all those years at Beaver Westinghouse. You and the girls are in our thoughts and prayers in this difficult time. Your Friends, Danny and Norma Durham
Dear Jim, Karen, Lori and family,
On behalf of the entire Burns family, your former next door neighbor on Baimbridge Drive in Aliquippa, we extend our sympathy for the loss of Joan. Our fondest memories are her welcoming smile and friendly disposition. The old neighborhood just isn’t the same without you. We miss you all. May your family find spiritual comfort knowing that in the hardest times, we call on our Savior to assist us with the things we are unable to understand. We will always remember your wife, your mother and our peaceful and friendly neighbor, Joan.
With deepest sympathy,
Jack, Eleanor, Jackie, Danny and Gary Burns and our families.
Mr. Kotala,
I took care of your wife during this hospitalization and was so sorry on reading the paper today to see that she had passed. She was such a dear person, and I just wanted to extend my sympathy. May God be with you during this time and support you in every way.
Sincerely, Terri Hensley
My condolence to all of you. I so remember the good times Joan and I had growing up and the days spent sitting on the front porch in the evenings. My sympathy is with all of you, she is in a good place and God will look after her.
Jim,
To my surprise I seen Joan’s funeral arrangements in the paper today. I don’t feel like much of friend not being with you today so I hope you can accept my apology.
I would like to say how wonderful a person Joan always was to me. She made me smile everytime I seen and spoke with her. But I grieve for you because I can only imagine the countless times she made you smile. I am sure she is well now and this should make you smile once again. My heart goes out to you.
Your friend always,
Mike
Joan was one of my favorite cousins when I was very young. She showed me how to read the funny papers one day while we were at our grandparents’ house.
I haven’t seen Joan in many years but I have warm memories. My mother–her Aunt Ruth– was very fond of her, the ‘Dutchess’
My condolences to her family.
Jim & Family, Our Deepest Sympathy to you and your family. Jim C. worked at Westinghouse with you Jim (in the Good Ole Days) and I met Joan at the Westinghouse Wives Get-togethers and I bowled with her for awhile. She always had a smile for everyone. She fought a long battle with her heart problems but she TOUCHED many hearts along the way. Our Prayers are with you. Jim and Bonnie
James, Karen, Lori, Louise, Betty, Janet,
I was so sorry to hear about Joan. She was the leader of the cousins when I was little. I have asked Archabbot Nowicki at St. Vincent’s (Latrobe) to say a mass for her, and to remember you all in the monks’ prayers, as you are in mine. Sincerely, Mary Forrest Dowling
Jim,
I am saddened by your loss of Joan. I think you should know that your wife inspired me with her uplifting spirit. It was quiet a joy to see the both of you together, especially when I was down “there†waiting in line. I know you must miss her greatly and I will keep both in my prayers.
Dear Jim and Family,
We were deeply saddened to hear of your loss of Joan. Our prayers for Joan and you all will certainly be part of our daily petitions.
We are both members of the Class of 1950 at Ambridge High School. We remember very well our young days spent at your home up on the hills of Ambridge. Memories are the connection to the pass that help the future be meaningful.
Take care and God be with you all.
Sincerely
John A. Mihaloew (Jack)
James R. Mihaloew (Jim)
Twins from Ambridge
Our deepest Sympathy to the family. Mom and I just seen Sunday’s paper (Tuesday afternoon), and are very upset that we did not see it sooner. If we can do anything for you or your dad, please let us know. Karen, I am glad your Mom got to meet my new husband and my little man. With lots of love, prayers.
Vernoncia, Christine, Christian, Jon, Nina and Wade. We love ya’ll. Mom 687-8637 Mine-650-9876
Jim,Karen and Lori,
My prayers and strength are with you during this time. Mom was a beautiful soul and will always be remembered.
Curtis Ledford
Dear Jim, Karen & Lori and your families,
Words cannot express how I felt when I hear about Joan. Tears flow as I remember Joan and our lives years ago. She was just the most pleasant and accomadating wonderful friend. Mass will be said for her at The seven Oaks St Nick Chapel with all of you in my prayers. God Be With All Of You.