Obituary of Joan Elizabeth Watt

Joan Elizabeth Dankmyer Watt, 96, of St. Louis Park, MN, formerly of Mansfield, OH and Sewickley, PA, passed away on May 11, 2022.

Joan was born February 18, 1926, in Pittsburgh, to the late John Osterling Dankmyer and Olive Margaret Sampson Dankmyer. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, James Watt, and her siblings John, Marjorie, and Richard.

Survivors include her children, Kassandra (Jonathan Sowash) of Athens, OH, Suzan (Richard) Clark of Freedom, PA, Jeffrey (Karen) of Harleysville, PA, and Jennifer (Stephen) Frenz of Minneapolis, MN, 9 grandchildren, Lee, Anna, Hilarie (Jimmy), Jamie (Ben), Ashley (Bill), Elizabeth (Bryan), Andrew (Melanie), Rachel (Brian) and Sarah, and 12 great-grandchildren, Ella, Grace, Abram, Averie, Will, Cailee, Dani, CJ, Kennedy, Kacey, Sophia, and James, and many nieces and nephews.

Joan loved her family and lived her life with joy. She had a positive attitude, was always curious, and remained young at heart for all 96 years of her life. Exercising in a warm water pool was a favorite activity of hers and she called it “the fountain of youth.” Joan enjoyed playing cards and Bingo with her friends. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Faith in Action and as a receptionist at her senior community, Parkshore. She kept current on family activities via Facebook, FaceTime and Zoom. She was quite tech savvy for a woman who was born before television.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in her name to Hebron United Presbyterian Church, Cemetery Fund, 10460 Frankstown Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15235. https://giving.ncsservices.org/app/giving/ncs-2129

A private memorial to celebrate Joan’s life, followed by a burial alongside many generations of her family, will be held at a later date at Hebron United Presbyterian Church in Penn Hills, PA.