Joan Mary Netspoon Grata Tegel, 101, of Lynnwood, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2025. Born on May 14, 1923 to the late Anna and John Netspoon of Pricedale, Joan graduated from Rostraver High School and remained a resident of Belle Vernon. She met Paul Grata and they were married in 1942. They had one son, the late P. Joseph Grata and while Joe was a toddler, his father and Joan’s husband, Paul Grata, Sr., was killed in action aboard the USS Franklin during WWII, leaving Joan to raise Joe alone. She then married Edward Frances Tegel and had three surviving daughters, Anne (Don) Sweany of Washington Township, Lillian (Neil) Gelotti of Fayette City, and Joan (Alex) Romansky of Rostraver Township. Joan and Edward Tegel had their family home built in Lynnwood and Joan loved furnishing and decorating the home. Joan led an active life (always on the go). She was very social and participated in card clubs, women’s clubs, bingos, casino trips, and, of course, shopping. She enjoyed traveling and went many places including annual family trips to Geneva on the Lake with a group of friends and later to Oglebay, WV, Deep Creek, Md., and as far as Key West, Fl. Also surviving to cherish her are her grandchildren, Jon Sweany, M.D. (Emily) of Unity Township, Greensburg, Jared Sweany, Esq. (Rachel) of Murrysville, Lauren Childs (Terry) of Belle Vernon and Lisa Gelotti of Pittsburgh; and great grandchildren, Natalie and Nathaniel Sweany and Riley and Lucas Childs.
In addition to her parents and first husband, Paul Grata, Sr., she was preceded in death by her second husband, Edward Francis Tegel, a son, P. Joseph Grata, three brothers, Walter, Paul, and John Lucas, and one sister, Helen Lucas.
There will be no viewing or services per Joan’s request. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ferguson Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc 700 Broad Avenue Belle Vernon, 724-929-5300. www.FergusonFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.
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