Joan Ann Girts

Joan Girts, 72, of Clarks Summit, died peacefully Wednesday, January 11, 2017 surrounded by family and loved ones after a prolonged battle with cancer.  A beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, great aunt and friend she was a beacon of love and support to everyone around her.  Her life was defined by love, selflessness and her relationship with Jesus Christ.

Her smile, her laugh, her kind and caring eyes will always be remembered.

Born on June 11, 1944, in Cooperstown, NY, Joan was the daughter of the late Leonard Steenburg and Doris (Hamm) Steenburg.  She spent her early childhood on the family dairy farm working alongside her mother and father.  The farm later relocated to Elba, NY where she attended and graduated from the Elba Central School.

She was a graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College in North Chili, NY where she earned her LPN, RN and bachelor of science degree in nursing.  Joan dedicated her life to caring for others and served as a Registered Nurse in various nursing homes and the home health care agencies of Cortland County, NY and Saratoga County, NY.  She retired from public health nursing in 2001 and later joined Wings of Hope Hospice in Allegan County, MI using her gift of nursing to care for patients and families.  She viewed nursing as a calling and was a gifted professional, serving her patients with care, dignity, love and respect for over 35 years.

Joan met her late husband, Rev. Larry Girts, while studying at Roberts Wesleyan College and served along-side him in several churches throughout New York state, Illinois, and Saskatchewan, Canada.  As a Pastor's wife she worked in children's ministries, women's ministries and was an encouraging support to those in the congregation.

She loved to grow her own vegetables and flowers, knit for others, spoil her grandchildren, cook and laugh.

Joan is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Tammy Holbrook and her husband Alan of Clarks Summit, PA; one son, Christian Girts and his wife Amy of Endwell, NY; four grandchildren: Emma Holbrook, Ben Burchell, Ryan Girts and Abby Girts; two sisters, Mrs. Cheryl Whitten of Cocoa, FL and Mrs. Karen Dilcher of Muncy, PA and two sisters in law, Mrs. Marilyn Daugherty and Mrs. Carolyn Witherow.

A funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 am from the Heritage Baptist Church, 415 Venard Rd., So. Abington Twp., with services by Rev. Glenn Amos, pastor.  Interment will be private at the convenience of the family at Jerusalem Corners Cemetery, Pleasantville, PA.

The family will receive friends this evening from 5 to 8 pm at the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Dr, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 ( hospicesacredheart.org ) or Heritage Baptist Church, 538 Venard Rd, Clarks Summit, PA 18411 ( wearehbc.com ).