Joanne Leeper Lynch, 79, of Penn Run, passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
She was born on June 14, 1947, Flag Day, in Charleroi, a daughter of the late Wayne and Alfaretta Leeper.
She was a devoted wife, cherished mother and devoted grandmother aka “Nana”. She was married to the late Dr. David Lynch, who was the Dean of the Graduate School at IUP.
Joanne graduated from Rostraver High School in 1965, Greater Greensburg School of Practical Nursing in 1966, and trained in operating room at Magee Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh until moving to West Virginia University. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from IUP in 1999, graduating Cum Laude. She was on IUP’s Dean List each semester and was a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She previously worked for many years in several hospitals in West Virginia specializing in surgical nursing and was a member of the open-heart team at West Virginia University Hospital. She volunteered for flu shot clinics, school fairs, church fairs and helping at American Red Cross drives.
Joanne loved spending time with her family, especially going to the beach on vacations, to theme parks, and most of all cruises. She loved spending time with her granddaughter, Allison Lieb, who cherished the visits with her Nana. Joanne looked forward to the phone calls from Allie saying, “Can you come over?” She loved going to garage sales and to basket bashes with her dear friends.
She is survived by her children, Jennifer (Bernard) Lieb, of Penn Run and Melissa Lynch, of Indiana; beloved granddaughter, Allison Lieb; a sister, Laurie (Denny) Hough, of Acme, PA; many nieces, nephews and close friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, Joanne was preceded in death by a sister, Nancy Sirofchuck, a brother, Harold Leeper, Jr., and many beloved animals.
Friends will be received by the family from 4 – 7 pm, on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Donahue Tylinski Funeral Home, Inc., 500 Ben Franklin Road S, Indiana. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am, Saturday, at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Roman Catholic Church, Indiana, with Fr. Richard N. Owens, O.F.M., Cap as celebrant. Private interment to follow in St. Bernard Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joanne’s memory may be made to Four Footed Friends or Smalltown Cat Rescue.
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