Joan Diane Bodnar, 86, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 9, 2022, while visiting family in Asheville, NC.

Mrs. Bodnar was born August 13, 1936, in Sharon, a daughter of the late Paul and Nellie (Bee) McDade. She was a 1954 graduate of Sharon High School. While raising a family, she obtained her bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University and continued to earn her master's degree in Nutrition from Kent State University. Joan spent nearly her entire career as a home economics teacher at Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, OH.

Joan was an outstanding seamstress, very passionate about sewing, crafting and quilting with many of her creations making it into family and friends' weddings and homes across the United States. She was rarely without a number of active creations in the process, working with her granddaughter on a project just hours before she left us. She shared her love of cooking and baking (especially holiday themed cookies throughout the year) with her family. She also loved watching golf, the Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers along with spending time amongst friends and family playing, laughing and watching movies, both new and old.

Joan was a kind and generous woman supporting friends, family and the less fortunate in any way she could.

She was a woman of strong catholic faith who enjoyed helping others and supporting the growth of her congregation, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Vienna, until changes in her health impacted her ability to physically contribute as much as she would have liked. She especially cherished her time working with the other women in the congregation.

She married the love of her life, Richard G. Bodnar in June of 1959. He passed away in 2013.

She is survived by her son, Mark Bodnar and his wife Alicia; a sister, Paula Farragher; granddaughter, Taylor Murphy and husband Kendrick Murphy with great-grandchildren, Rowan and Declan; a grandson, Eric Bodnar and his girlfriend, Susannah Spruill. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews that she loved and touched deeply over the years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be directed to the Women's Guild of St. Thomas the Apostle Church at 4453 Warren-Sharon Rd., Vienna, OH 44473.

Calling hours will be 9 a.m. until the time of her Mass on Saturday, December 17, 2022, in St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Vienna, OH.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, in the church, with Rev. Ryan Furlong, pastor, as celebrant.

Interment: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage