Joan Colosimo Brownell

Joan Colosimo Brownell, 64, of Carbondale, passed away peacefully Friday night after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family at her side. Her devoted husband and best friend, David, was inseparable for 46 years. He stayed by his wife's side through this hard-fought battle and will always love and cherish every memory they shared through eternity.

Born Oct. 22, 1959, in Carbondale, she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Marion Fox Colosimo. Joan was a graduate of Lakeland High School and received her bachelor's degree in business education from Bloomsburg University. Joan had two master's degrees from Wilkes University and Temple University. Joan was a dedicated business teacher at Carbondale Area High School for 33 years. Every person who met Joan could never forget her positivity, easygoing nature and friendship. She helped many students who were blessed with having her as a teacher, both during school and long after they graduated. While at Carbondale, she was also an adjunct faculty member at Luzerne County Community College. She was school adviser for FBLA and ski club. Joan organized and ran the junior golf programs at Elkview Country Club, NEPA Junior Golf and was assistant director for LPGA junior golf. Joan was also a licensed Realtor. Currently, Joan along with her husband and daughter, Lauren, own and operate Lenny's Liquidation and 107-11 mini-mart in Fleetville.

She is survived by husband, David; daughter, Lauren; granddaughter, Piper Brownell; mother-in-law, Lillian Brownell; sister-in-law, Linda and husband, Dr. James Zefran; brother, Richard and wife, Margaret; sister, Karen and husband, Brad Bowerman; nephews, James Colosimo, Alan and wife, Kristina (Ben and Sam); nieces, Tristin and Frankie (Bella); Kelly and husband, Timothy (Dylan and Emily); and Dr. Katie Zefran.

She was preceded in death by her son, Nathan Brownell; parents, Samuel and Marion Colosimo; father-in-law, Donald Brownell; brothers-in-law, Donald and Steven Brownell.

Lauren and Joan had the best friendship for the past 34 years and will always be in Lauren's heart. They loved listening to Joan's favorite songs and we hope you are dancing like nobody's watching as you watch over us all! A special thank you to her dear friend and colleague Leo Skorupa, whose support, kindness and endless help made Joan's final journey in life better.

Joan always had a great sense of humor. In fact, Joan would probably prefer that this obituary read: I had a good average life, did what I needed to do to get through life and kept going through everything without fanfare and end it by saying "see you later."

The funeral will be held Thursday from Carmine J. & Louis C. Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 89 Farview St., Carbondale, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 15 Fallbrook St., Carbondale. Viewing hours will be held Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m.

To share condolences and photos with Joan's family, visit her book of everlasting memories at www.parisefuneralhome.com.