Mary Joan DeRea

Mary Joan DeRea

Joan DeRea, 80, of Pen Argyl, passed away, Saturday, March 20, 2021, at her residence. She was the wife of Fred C. DeRea, they celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary, December 19, 2020.

Born in Rahway, NJ, September 18, 1940, she was the daughter of the late William and Margaret (Ruddy) Sexton.

Prior to retiring in 2004, Joan was employed for 22 years at Acopian Technical, Easton.

For many years, she also worked at Specter Archery in Easton.  She was the manager there and became one of the first Women Professional Archery coaches in the country.  She was a National Champion in Women’s Professional Archery.

She was a member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, Pen Argyl.

In addition to her husband Fred, she is survived by her daughter, Laurie Cote’ and her husband Mark of Bethlehem, daughter, Michele Racciato and her husband Phil of Pen Argyl, son, Fred C. DeRea, Jr. and his wife Sheila of Roseto and son, David DeRea and his wife Cristie of Bangor, grandchildren, Aubree Cote’, Philip Racciato and Alena DeRea, extended family, Lori Brousseau and her husband Dan of Easton and their children, Nichole and Lauren, and Bill Staples of Nazareth.

She was preceded in death by a grandson, Michael L. “Mikey” Racciato.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Thursday, March 25, 2021, at 11 AM at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, 300 W. Babbitt Avenue, Pen Argyl.  There will be visiting hours, Wednesday, beginning at 6 PM until 8 PM at the Ruggiero Funeral Home, LLC, 126 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Pen Argyl and Thursday beginning at 10 AM until 10:45 AM at St. Elizabeth’s Church.  Interment will be private at Northampton Memorial Shrine, Easton. Due to present Covid-19 guidelines, capacity restrictions, face coverings and social distancing practices will be followed. 

Online condolences may be offered at www.ruggierofuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be offered to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or St. Elizabeth’s Building Fund, 300 W. Babbitt Avenue, Pen Argyl, PA 18072.