Joan E. Gasparoli

Joan E. Gasparoli, of Roanoke, Virginia, died December 1, 2009. In October, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Bob. Joan is survived by her daughter, Lissa and her husband, Steve Gooch; daughter, Linda and her husband, Doug Bristol; daughter, Margaret and her husband, Kevin Tanner; son Tom, wife Joanna, and children, Ashley and Crews; grandchildren, Megan and husband, Brian Snoddy, Matt Gooch, Marissa Gasparoli, Genna and Dillon Tanner, Peyton and Kayla Bristol; and great-grandchild, Jacob Snoddy. After graduation from Lake Forest College outside Chicago, Joan settled briefly in Schenectady, N.Y., where she met Bob while both worked at General Electric. Joan and Bob married in 1949. She raised her family with him in the Roanoke Valley, where they lived for 53 years. Joan was devoted to her family and enjoyed all children. Joan was a teacher and director at Covenant Presbyterian Church Preschool for 25 years. After retirement, she shared her love of reading and children by volunteering for years at Penn Forest and Oak Grove Elementary Schools. A bridge player and sportswoman, she picked up the game of tennis and relished her regular matches with her friends. Joan was also a talented knitter and crocheter who always had a project in the works and made many precious gifts of personal items for her family and grandchildren. A memorial mass will be held at Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church on Saturday, December 12, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Msgr. Joseph Lehman celebrating. Family and friends are invited to stay for a reception at the church after the mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Oak Grove Elementary School at 5005 Grandin Rd. Ext., Roanoke, VA. 24018, Friends of the Roanoke County Library at 3131 Electric Rd., Roanoke, VA 24018, or a charity of one's choice. Arrangements are by Oakey's South Chapel.