Joanne M. Lapic

Joanne Lapic - beloved mother, sister, friend, artist and all-around wonderful human being - departed this life on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the age of 67.
She passed at her home in Kempton, PA, surrounded by loved ones, after a hard-fought battle with glioblastoma.

Joanne was born in Niagra Falls, NY, on August 27, 1958, to the late John R. Lapic and Olga (Lozzi) Lapic.
She attended high school at Owen J. Roberts before graduating from Kutztown University in 1980, with a Bachelor's in Fine Arts.

Joanne worked as a payroll accountant at the Lutheran Home in Topton for 13 years - there, she met and made many lifelong friends, including her best friend and life partner, Dave.

In 2002, Joanne left the Lutheran Home without a plan. About this time in her life, she always liked to say, "Jump, and a net will appear".
One evening shortly after, she was walking down Main Street in Kutztown and saw an empty store front for rent. Just a few short weeks later, Paisley & Company, Bath Boutique and Fragrance Bar was open for business.

To help make ends meet, she also started teaching art lessons in the basement of Trinity Lutheran Church in Kutztown. What may have begun as a means of survival quickly developed into an awesome, creative community that gathered every week for "Art in the Afternoon".

After owning and operating Paisley & Company for over 20 years, Joanne made arrangements to sell the business she built. She wanted to be able to spend her time doing all of the things she loved - laying on the beach in Cape May, working in her garden, crocheting and weaving, cooking, creating, and making everything beautiful.

The day before Joanne was supposed to start her retirement, she was diagnosed with aggressive, terminal brain cancer.
Instead of shutting down, Joanne met her diagnosis with positivity and hopefulness. She would say, "If I don't have much time left, then I'm going to spend the time I do have making everything beautiful".

Joanne underwent brain surgery, chemo and radiation; and even after treatments were no longer effective, she continued to fight hard for every additional day she could spend with family.

As the disease progressed and she lost the use of her right side, she was no longer able to walk through her garden or crochet. Regardless, Joanne's drive to create and express herself through art never stopped.
With the help of family members and friends, she was able to use a knitting machine. She started making hats for everyone and anyone. She said that she wanted to make hats every day for the rest of her life - and she did.

Joanne had this almost-superpower, where she could accomplish anything she set her mind to. She was incredibly talented and intelligent, and at the same time, she was so kind and empathetic and humble.
She held space for everyone, and she will be missed by so many.

Joanne is survived by her dearest friend, David J. Miller; daughter, Mikhaila Lapic-Lloyd; and her unofficial son, Jake Bullock. She also leaves behind her brothers: Johnny, Stephen (wife, Debra) and Jimmy Lapic; beloved sister-in-law, Becky Lapic; and her adored nieces and nephews: Whitney, Simon, Nicholas, Sophie, and Liam.

All are welcome to join us in remembering and celebrating Joanne on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church (375 W. Main Street, Kutztown, PA, 19530). Guests may arrive at 1:00PM to greet the family and share memories. A service will follow at 2:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Joanne with a donation to Friend, Inc. (658D Noble Street, Kutztown, PA 19530); or to your local animal shelter/sanctuary.