Obituary for Joan R. Jessen
Joan R. Jessen
Age 96, of McMurray, peacefully passed away at home on Monday. December 21, 2020. Beloved wife of the late Myron “Jess” Jessen for 70 years; loving mother of Brian Jessen, Karen (Michael Griffing) Jessen; and Alison (Paul) Pierpoint; proud grandmother of Chris Griffing, Kevin Griffing, Zachary (Stephanie) Pierpoint, Valerie Pierpoint, and step grandmother of Sheryl (Chad Vanne) Griffing, Carrissa (Michael Wagner) Griffing, and Ian Griffing; daughter of the late Frederic and Marion Rosenthal of Branford, CT; sister of the late Richard (Ann) Rosenthal.
Joan was a graduate of Mary Washington College in Virginia, where she and several friends were the first women to be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. She also completed minors in English and History. She then worked at Naugatuck Chemical (Naugatuck CT) where she met Jess. After her children entered school, she considered rejoining the workforce. She couldn't decide what volunteer activity she would give up, so she decided to remain what she referred to as a professional volunteer.
She was a charter member of the Peters Township League of Women Voters (LWV), which later became the Washington County LWV. She served on the Board of Directors of LWVPA for six years, including two years as First Vice President. Her main focus was in Natural Resource and Government areas.
She was the longstanding host of the Peters Township Hour on WJPA, interviewing people on local issues.
Joan also served on the Government Study Commission that produced the Peters Township Home Rule Charter (which was adopted). Also interested in community planning, she served on Peters Township Planning Commission for several years as well as the Washington County Planning Commission (25 years).
She cofounded the Washington County Groundwater Coalition, which later became the Groundwater Education Committee of the Washington County Watershed Alliance. In 2001, she received the Edith Stevens Groundwater Educator Award for her organization of the Washington County Groundwater Festival, the first of its kind in Pennsylvania.
Joan wrote several chapters in a book about the history of Washington County, titled Washington County: the Second Hundred Years. She also wrote many newsletters and grant requests and maintained the content for the Washington County Watershed Alliance website.
She sang with the Bob Locklin Singers for many years, performing in their annual review shows. She always said if she could have been anything in this life, she would have been a dancer.
As a longtime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, she served as one of the first woman elders, produced short films for the church, and was a longtime member of Sarah circle. She joined the Hunger Task Force at Westminster and became involved with the Washington County Food Bank.
Joan and her husband, Jess, loved to travel the world. Joan will be remembered for being an avid bridge player and for her passion for classical music and jazz.
Funeral arrangements by BEINHAUERS, Peters Twp. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2040 Washington Road, Upper St. Clair. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church. Please add or view tributes at www.beinhauer.com
Age 96, of McMurray, peacefully passed away at home on Monday. December 21, 2020. Beloved wife of the late Myron “Jess” Jessen for 70 years; loving mother of Brian Jessen, Karen (Michael Griffing) Jessen; and Alison (Paul) Pierpoint; proud grandmother of Chris Griffing, Kevin Griffing, Zachary (Stephanie) Pierpoint, Valerie Pierpoint, and step grandmother of Sheryl (Chad Vanne) Griffing, Carrissa (Michael Wagner) Griffing, and Ian Griffing; daughter of the late Frederic and Marion Rosenthal of Branford, CT; sister of the late Richard (Ann) Rosenthal.
Joan was a graduate of Mary Washington College in Virginia, where she and several friends were the first women to be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. She also completed minors in English and History. She then worked at Naugatuck Chemical (Naugatuck CT) where she met Jess. After her children entered school, she considered rejoining the workforce. She couldn't decide what volunteer activity she would give up, so she decided to remain what she referred to as a professional volunteer.
She was a charter member of the Peters Township League of Women Voters (LWV), which later became the Washington County LWV. She served on the Board of Directors of LWVPA for six years, including two years as First Vice President. Her main focus was in Natural Resource and Government areas.
She was the longstanding host of the Peters Township Hour on WJPA, interviewing people on local issues.
Joan also served on the Government Study Commission that produced the Peters Township Home Rule Charter (which was adopted). Also interested in community planning, she served on Peters Township Planning Commission for several years as well as the Washington County Planning Commission (25 years).
She cofounded the Washington County Groundwater Coalition, which later became the Groundwater Education Committee of the Washington County Watershed Alliance. In 2001, she received the Edith Stevens Groundwater Educator Award for her organization of the Washington County Groundwater Festival, the first of its kind in Pennsylvania.
Joan wrote several chapters in a book about the history of Washington County, titled Washington County: the Second Hundred Years. She also wrote many newsletters and grant requests and maintained the content for the Washington County Watershed Alliance website.
She sang with the Bob Locklin Singers for many years, performing in their annual review shows. She always said if she could have been anything in this life, she would have been a dancer.
As a longtime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, she served as one of the first woman elders, produced short films for the church, and was a longtime member of Sarah circle. She joined the Hunger Task Force at Westminster and became involved with the Washington County Food Bank.
Joan and her husband, Jess, loved to travel the world. Joan will be remembered for being an avid bridge player and for her passion for classical music and jazz.
Funeral arrangements by BEINHAUERS, Peters Twp. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2040 Washington Road, Upper St. Clair. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church. Please add or view tributes at www.beinhauer.com