Joan Bertrando

Joan Patricia "Joanie" Bertrando (née Boyer), age 74, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2025, in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania.

Born on March 17, 1951, in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, Joan was the beloved daughter of the late Edward and Geraldine Boyer. The family later moved to Chester County where she would graduate from Unionville High School.

She is survived by her husband of almost 53 years, Thomas, son Edward, daughter Brooke and her husband Michael and their daughter Lily Jade, the most cherished thing in her whole life. She is lovingly remembered by her sisters, Dina, Connie and Marianne, her brother Dave and many others.

Joan was an avid swimmer throughout her childhood, especially enjoying her time on the swimming team at Greenwoods pool, where she continued to take her children when they were small. She delighted in teaching children to swim, especially Lily, which she did for many summers at her husband’s cousin’s pool. She was a true sunworshipper, and the family spent many fantastic weeks at the beach in OCNJ, in the Carolinas and in Florida.

Joan started her career at Roadway trucking company until she decided to start a family. Once her children started school, she worked as an aide in the writing lab, assisting students with computer and language arts education, at the Fred S. Engle Middle School. While working there she had a poem published in Cricket Magazine. She loved her job and all the kids she was able to help. Years later she moved to the Avon Grove district office, where she was the secretary to the head of buildings and grounds.

When Joan retired, she became Lily’s teacher. She taught Lily all the states on the map by age 4 and how to read at a very early age, with a book from her own childhood, “See Spot Run.” Joan was a voracious reader until the end, loving Stephen King more than any other author. She loved to listen to music (certain songs on repeat) and enjoyed many television shows and “the happy part at the end” of the world news.

Joan was very vocal about wishing to be able to control the end of her life, and due to the laws in effect in Pennsylvania, she could not do so. So, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Die With Dignity. More importantly, contact your local representatives about supporting the Compassionate Aid in Dying Act (HB1109 - Pennsylvania).

There will be a celebration of life later this year.