Joanna Bartoshesky Karpa

1926 - 2024

Joanna was born on February 17, 1926, in Wilmington, DE to her Polish-American parents, Mary Romanski and Charles Bartoszewski. She was educated in a Polish School and remained fluent in Polish her entire life. In 1940 at the age of 14, her family moved to Newport News where she attended St. Vincent Catholic High School, now known as Peninsula Catholic High School. She was the captain of the girls basketball team and graduated at age 16 in the Class of 1942. After graduation, she was employed at NACA (NASA) and after marrying the love of her life, Charles Bishop Karpa, she worked as a switch-board operator for C&P Telephone Co. until the birth of her first child.

Also known as “Jenny”, Joanna was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She deeply loved her family, friends, God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Church and her Polish heritage. She was a longtime Hampton resident, and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Joanna died peacefully after a short illness on Saturday, May 25, 2024. She was 98 years young and she will be dearly missed.

Joanna was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 67 years, Charles Bishop Karpa, her beloved daughter, Ann Marie Karpa, and her dear sister, Mary Ann Bartoshesky.

She is survived by three children, Charles B. Karpa, Jr. and wife, Pamela of Fuquay-Varina, NC, David A. Karpa and wife, Jamie of Hampton, and Patricia K. Brzeski and husband, Richard of Yorktown; six grandchildren, Charles B. Karpa, III and wife, Dawn, Andrew N. Karpa and wife, Kathleen, Matthew R. Brzeski, Amy M. Brzeski, Justin D Brzeski, and Mark W. Brzeski; four great grandchildren, Ethan D. Karpa, Kaley S. Karpa, Grace I. Karpa, and Madison J. Karpa; and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Commonwealth Senior Living for the compassionate care over the last 30 months and Bon Secours Hospice for their recent comfort care. A special thank you to Cynthia Baskin, Joanna’s private caregiver and devoted companion whose dedication, spiritual devotion and kindness was so very much valued and appreciated by all her family. The family would also like to thank the Rev. Fr. Dillon Bruce for his spiritual guidance, support and kindness.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church by the Rev. Fr. Dillon Bruce, Celebrant.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 512 Buckroe Avenue, Hampton, VA 23664-0126 or a charity of your choice.