Joan A. Batory

Joan Trybala Batory, passed away from heart failure on July 27, 2024 while at home with her husband Joseph of 57 years by her side.
Joan's legacy is four decades of activism in recycling and environmental protection. Joan was an original appointee to the New Jersey Pinelands Commission which created the plan to protect over 1.2 million environmentally sensitive acres in South Jersey. This successful initiative has since been recognized by the United Nations as a Biosphere Reserve.
Early in her career, Joan also managed planning for national recreation and historic sites in eight states for the National Park Service.
In 1989, Joan was recruited by Chester County, PA to set up its first ever municipal recycling collection programs countywide (50+ municipalities) and create their waste management plan. She soon implemented several award-winning recycling education programs for residents and businesses across Chester County (PA). In 1998, Joan was then recruited by Philadelphia mayor Ed Rendell to head up the city's fledgling recycling programs. This led to widespread recycling acceptance in the city and many improvements.
Since then, Joan has been a leader in promoting sustainable building improvements and operations to help large multifamily buildings in Philadelphia reduce their carbon footprint.
Joan graduated academically near the top of her Philadelphia based West Catholic Girls Class of 1962. She then earned her bachelor's degree as a top level academic student at Immaculata College (not then a university)in 1966.
Joan began her professional career as a history teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, NJ, where she taught for six years and was the well-respected mentor/faculty sponsor for the Class of 1970.
She was then awarded a Fellowship which enabled her to obtain her master's degree in environmental studies from Rowan University in New Jersey in the early 1970's. Joan has focused on environmental issues ever since.
A dedicated Rotary member, Joan transferred to the Rotary Club of Philadelphia in 1998 from the Rotary Club of West Chester when she was appointed as the City's Recycling Coordinator.
She was the Philadelphia Rotary Centennial President in 2004-2005 and later, Joan became the Rotary District 7450 Governor of the 50+ Rotary Clubs in the Greater Philadelphia area in 2010-2011.
Joan has received numerous honors and awards from Rotary International for her humanitarian service, work with Rotary visiting graduate students, and inspiring numerous humanitarian outreach projects in Philadelphia and beyond.
At Joan's request, Funeral Services and burial will be private. To share memories and condolences with Joan's family, please visit her tribute wall above.