Joan H. (Hartzel) Pettibone

Joan Marie Hartzell Pettibone

Wife, mother, teacher, volunteer, Christian educator, traveler, passed away suddenly May 5, 2017. She is survived by her husband Roger, children; Craig (Kristianna) of Raleigh NC, Kristin (Bill) Bohna of Hudson OH, and Carter (Deidre) of Raleigh NC, grandchildren; Erin, Schuyler, Kyra and Riley and numerous beloved nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph E. and Marie (Schramm) Hartzell of Kent OH; and siblings, R. Eugene  of  Vienna Austria, Richard of Goshen NY and Shirley Arndt of Simi Valley CA. Joan was born May 22, 1937 in Cincinnati OH and raised in a musical family that followed her father’s career in music education as it progressed from high school band and choir leadership to college professorship in Cincinnati and Dayton OH, Maryville, Missouri - where Joan attended grade school through sixth grade - and ultimately to Kent OH - where Joan was graduated in 1955 from Kent State University High School, making many lifelong friends. Joan attended Allegheny College, Kansas State University and ultimately to Kent State University where she was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority and earned a degree in 1959 in Home Economics Management.  After a short career in retail buying for Lasalle’s (later Macy’s) in Toledo OH, Joan returned to Kent State for a degree in Elementary Education.  She there met Roger and they were married on December 28, 1962. Joan taught elementary school in the Orange, Kent and Berea school districts in the early 1960s.  In 1964, she and Roger moved to Richfield OH where they were very active in the Richfield UCC church and sang in the church choir.  In 1966, Joan left public school teaching when she and Roger started a family.  In 1971, the family moved to Novelty OH and Joan became active as a volunteer in the Newbury schools and as a member of the Newbury UCC church, chairing the Christian education committee and singing in the choir.   Joan also transferred her membership to the Chagrin Chapter CQ of PEO (Philanthropic  Educational Organization) where she later served as  president. Joan lived life focusing her time and energy on the things she truly cared most for: family, children, music education and Christian education.  She was at her best when the swirl of activity that borders between comprehension, creativity and chaos was happening in a classroom, where she did not lead, but facilitated child-centered activities.  This was apparent in her 10+ year career as teacher and director of the community’s daily preschool programs housed at the Newbury UCC church; and also in her volunteer work with Girl Scout both on a local and regional level, as cub scout den mother, Newbury High School band boosters president, Sunday school teacher and children’s choir director. She loved the fidgety energy and sometimes magical stuff that happened in the congregation during the children’s response to the children’s sermon. Joan and Roger transferred their membership in 1990 to Federated UCC where she sang in the choir and was involved in the Sunday school program. In her later years, Joan loved visits with the grandkids where she would often go to school to have lunch with them or to volunteer in the classroom.  She also took time to travel. She and Roger spent many cruises with her lifelong friend, Phyllis Rutan Gatto and husband Ron, as they explored the Alaska, Europe, the Mediterranean and Caribbean coasts. As she slowed down in the sunset of life, the things that gave her the most satisfaction were visits with friends and family,  dinners where she could sit and talk, have a glass wine, have some dessert, play a board or card game or finish a puzzle and just be together.  She will be greatly missed.  We think she is in a better place and hope her sharp wit is appreciated there! Memorial contributions may be made in Joan’s name to the Federated Church Legacy Fund, 76 Bell St, Chagrin Falls OH 44022. A memorial service will be held at 3:30 PM, Thursday June 8 in the Sanctuary of Federated UCC Church, 76 Bell Street in Chagrin Falls OH. A reception will follow in the church’s Fellowship Hall.

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