Joan M. Wyza 1942-2021

Joan was born Nov. 10, 1942, in Youngstown, the daughter of the late Irene DiFusco and Sam Colucci.

Joan was a 1960 graduate of Mohawk High School and was a proud employee of Sears, Roebuck and Co., retiring after 35 years of service. During her time at Sears, she worked in just about every department in the store, even serving as the store’s security guard on a couple of occasions.

Joan was a true Italian at heart. Whether it be teaching her grandchildren how to make sauce and meatballs, making her family’s secret Italian sausage recipe, or telling stories of her parents and grandparents in Italy, she was proud of her Italian heritage.

Joan was a devout Catholic and a member of Saint Lawrence Church in Hillsville. She instilled in her family the teachings of Saint Anthony of Padua. Whether it was a piece of jewelry, a book, money or if you were feeling lost in your journey through life, Joan would always say, “Say a prayer to Saint Anthony.” There is no doubt that Saint Anthony was one of the first to welcome Joan into heaven.

Joan loved making people laugh and everybody enjoyed visits, holidays and birthdays at her house, as she truly made everyone feel welcome. She was an avid fan of ’50s music and music by Conway Twitty, Neil Diamond and Jack Scott. She loved sitting on her front porch in summer watching the day go by. Most of all, she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Joan is survived by her sons, Gerald (Theresa) Wyza Jr. of Rochester, Mich., and Richard (Yong) Wyza of Hillsville; her daughter, Mary Jo Ohlin of Petersburg; sisters, Patricia Grebenz, Kathie (Becky) Brown and Sandra (Phillip) Reda; brothers-in-law, John Wyza and William (Nataline) Wyza; and sisters-in-law, Theresa Cochran and Carol (Ron) Doak. The lights of her life were her grandchildren, Patricia Wyza, Thomas Wyza, Joseph Ohlin, Jacob Ohlin and Anna Ohlin, who loved her and will miss her dearly. She had countless nieces and nephews who gave her so much happiness in her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Wyza, who recently passed away in April 2021. This year would have marked 60 years of marriage; her parents, Sam and Irene Colucci; her brother, Sam Colucci Jr., and her brother-in-law, Stanley Grebenz, all of whom she happily reunites with in heaven.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, in Joan’s honor, may be made to the Franciscan Mission Associates, 274-280 W. Lincoln Ave., P.O. Box 598. Mount Vernon, NY 10551-0598 for the poor, in honor of St. Anthony.

Visitation is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon, with a service to follow, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at the Terry Cunningham Funeral Home, 203 Oak St., Bessemer, Pa.

(special notice)