Joanne Bostjanick

Joanne Bostjanick

Age 80 of Shaler, passed away peacefully at home on February 3, 2024 from Alzheimer's Disease. The daughter of Leona (Matlack) and Joseph Bostjanick, both deceased. Joanne was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Ann and Carol. She is survived by her wife, Nancy "Lee" Marcuzzi, and her large family of cousins and dear friends. As a child Joanne was both inquisitive and mischievous, often playing jokes on her family members. Her father had a farm in Emlenton, Pennsylvania and she and her cousins grew up doing target shooting, taking long walks and catching naps in the barn. As a teenager she loved driving her first car, a convertible, for hours with her friends. She attended Oakmont High School, received her undergraduate degree from Clarion University, and her master’s in education from Slippery Rock University, performing her year of student teaching in Oil City. Except for one year in Houston, she spent her 34 years teaching in the Pittsburgh school district at Woolslayer Elementary School in the Hill District and later in the Pittsburgh Elementary Gifted Center where she taught math, problem-solving, and science. Underneath her sometimes gruff exterior beat a compassionate heart and she was beloved by her students and parents alike. Joanne met her future wife in 1996 and they embarked on the great love of their lives. They were able to marry in 2003 and they share the love of the outdoors and many worldwide travels. At their home in Shaler they enjoyed deer, rabbits, and other wildlife on the large property. She shared her great love of traveling with Lee, taking many trips, including to Slovenia, where they visited with Joanne’s relatives. They also traveled throughout the Mediterranean and the South Pacific with stops in Bora Bora, Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia. They enjoyed a safari in Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa. They traveled annually to their timeshare in Provencetown, and also out west as the pins in the world US map in their home can attest. Joanne loved her dogs and cats which gave great comfort at all times. She was a longtime friend of Bill W., and was always ready to reach out to those in need of help. She was a generous and loving friend to many people of all ages, and she will be sorely missed. Friends and family will be received from 10:30 AM until time of service at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 4, 2024 at Oakmont United Methodist Church, 419 Maryland Ave., Oakmont, PA 15139. Funeral arrangements entrusted to ENGLISH FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 378 Maryland Ave., Oakmont, PA 15139. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to be made in Joanne's name to the Alzheimer's Association at https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=51079&51079.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=giving_google&s_subsrc=giving_google&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5rG5r9CUhAMVvFRHAR39qg74EAAYASAAEgJxlfD_BwE.

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