Obituary of Joan D. Houser

HOUSER - Joan D. (Donnelly), 74 of Altoona and formerly of Lakemont and Tyrone, passed away March 29, 2010 at Altoona Regional Health System, Altoona Hospital Campus. Born July 20, 1935 in Altoona, daughter of the late Robert Kenneth and Edith (Hannon) Donnelly. Preceded in death by infant son Larry, sister Bernadette Panasiti, and former husband Richard L. Houser. Survived by children: Timothy P. (Marianne) Houser, Ebensburg; Kenneth M. (Karen) Houser, Fredericksburg, Virginia; Maryann Houser (Bill), Altoona; Julie (Jerry) Hutchison of Hollidaysburg; and nine grandchildren. Also survived by brother David Donnelly, Havertown; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Joan was a member of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Lakemont, where she had been active in the church choir. She was retired from the former Sears Credit Central in Altoona and had served many years as a volunteer at Garvey Manor. Special thanks to her caregivers and extended family at the Altoona Center for Nursing Care and St. Leonard’s Home in Hollidaysburg. Friends will be received from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Ebensburg, and from 9:00 a.m., until time of Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday at St. John’s Catholic Church, Lakemont, the Rev. Mark Begley and Msgr John R. Sasway, celebrants. Committal at Oak Grove Cemetery, Tyrone. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Johns Catholic School or Holy Name Angel Fund, Ebensburg.