Joan Kernahan
Joan Kernahan, 89, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 28, 2023, in her home, with her family by her side.
Joan was the beloved wife of the late William “Bill” Kernahan for 61 years; loving mother of Gwen (Don) Davis, Dale Kernahan (John Stokes), and Mark Kernahan; proud grandmother of Kristin (Christopher) Hauser, Ryan Davis and Kayle Pry; the caring great-grandmother of Xander Pry; sister of Marjorie Little and the late Robert Little.
Joan was a graduate of Mt. Lebanon High School and Bucknell University. She earned a Masters Degree in Elementary Education at Duquesne University.
She was an elementary school teacher in Mt. Lebanon and Bethel Park. She also home tutored a child with cerebral palsy, teaching her to type with her feet.
In addition to raising her three children, Joan became involved in many different careers. She was a trained paramedic, taught CPR and volunteered with her husband, also an EMT, on the Peters Township Ambulance Service. She was employed by the Peters Township Police Department and handled radio dispatch for police, fire and ambulance personnel.
In 1984, she attended the ICM School of Business and became a Certified Medical Office Assistant. She worked for five years with two doctors of obstetrics and gynecology in St. Clair. She also worked as a bank teller and as a salesperson at Kaufmann’s Department store in the jewelry department. Most recently, she served as a resident ambassador, greeting new residents at her assisted living facility in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Beyond devoting time to her family and career, Joan loved music. She had a beautiful soprano voice and enjoyed performing. She was in the Bucknell Glee Club, sang with the Bob Locklin Singers, and performed at many weddings. Her greatest commitment was to her church choir at Trinity Methodist Church, where she sang for 60 years. She was well loved and had many fun times with friends in her bridge club, camping trips with families from the church, and many wonderful vacations with her family. Joan and her husband also liked to attend arts and crafts festivals, where she would look for cute “pig” decorations to add to her extensive decorative pig collection.
Joan will always be remembered for her lovely red hair, attractive matching outfits (including matching rings on each finger) and her infectious laugh. She was a perfectionist and always paid attention to detail. She strived to do her best in all that she did. Her legacy goes on as she has encouraged her family to follow these same traits.
A memorial service is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday, December 2, in Trinity United Methodist Church.
Memorial contributions can be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 530 Center Church Road, McMurray, PA 15317.
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