Joan Ann Green

Joan Ann Green

Joan Ann Green, 88, of Elysburg passed away Thursday morning August 7th at Serenity Gardens in Kulpmont.

Born on December 6, 1936 she was the daughter of the late Victoria & Floyd Bycoskie.

Joan was of the Catholic faith and was a member of Queen of Most Holy Rosary in Elysburg.

She was the wife of the late Robert "Bob" R. Green. Joan married Bob on June 20, 1959 in Sunbury, PA and they were happily married for 58 years.

The couple had 100 acres of orchards where they grew mainly apples and peaches. A large amount of fruit was sold wholesale, but Joan and her husband Bob attended the Lewisburg Farmer's Market and Saturday morning curb market in Shamokin for all of their married life.

" Mom spent the majority of her life as a farm girl. First growing up with her four siblings, one being her twin sister, near Shamokin and then later, at age 8, they moved to a farm in Augustaville. She married a man she met at a dance at Knoebel's where they both often went with friends to dances. He was a farmer with a passion for growing fruit. Throughout their 58 years of marriage they did pretty much everything together. She stood by her man, and he often said he couldn't have been as successful as he was without her. They were best friends.

She raised three children while picking everything from sweet corn and dandelions to peaches and apples, running for tractor parts, keeping the books, to canning and freezing numerous vegetables, peaches, and even making homemade ketchup. Her and Dad spent many hours grading apples in the packing shed and picking fruit after the help went home and often on Sundays in the Fall. Almost every Spring she was with Dad planting more fruit trees.

She loved the simple life of being at home and outdoors, especially tending her many beds of flowers surrounding the buildings. Her and Dad yearly enhanced and increased the perennials and planted dozens of annuals, petunias and geraniums being her favorites. They rarely went to restaurants because she prided herself in making two cooked meals a day and often cooked breakfast as well. Her motto, "We don't eat sandwiches!" She taught us children how to eat healthy by the example she set of serving several vegetables, using what is given to you, and cooking it yourself.

She cherished the friendship of neighbors, customers, and other fruit growers and farmers. She carved out time and found much joy in making countless bowls of applesauce and homemade cakes and pies, all made from their fruits, sharing with neighbors and donating to Queen of the Most Holy Rosary and St. John's Lutheran Church. She also cherished her extended family on both sides, keeping in touch, and never made a visit empty-handed.

As one can tell their lives were lived in such a way as to be good stewards of the earth and generous to others. We as children hardly remember a day that someone didn't visit the farm and get invited in for coffee and something homemade or even join us for lunch. She would lend a hand to anyone who asked, even watching the neighbors children when they got off the bus until their parents got home. She raised us children in the Catholic faith, never missing a Sunday Mass and later it was well known that Dad and her attended both her church and his every week. They worshiped God in a way only those who love and respect His creation can. Mom often attributed the many years of bountiful fruit to the goodness of God. Mom, may you rest in peace, alongside Dad. Love, Robert, Julie, and John "

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her brother John Bycoskie and twin sister Jean Novitsky.

Surviving are her daughter and two sons: Julie A. (Green) wife of Michael J. Hricko of Catawissa; Robert D. husband of Yook-Fung Green of Cleveland, OH; John C. husband of Melody Green of Cincinnati, OH. Seven Grandchildren: Robert J., Elda M., and Rose V. Hricko; Georgia R., Lily E., Marabelle, and Frances Green; 4 great grandchildren; sister Lorraine Yagel (John), Selingsgrove; sister Nellie Davis, Selingsgrove; nieces & nephews.

A viewing for family and friends will be on Monday August 11th at Queen of Most Holy Rosary Church in Elysburg from 10:00-11:00 AM followed by A Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place following services at St. John's Lutheran Church Cemetery in Danville.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Joan's memory to Queen of Most Holy Rosary Church Memorial Fund, 599 W Center St, Elysburg PA 17824.

Rothermel-Heizenroth-Clark Funeral Services Inc-Elysburg / Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc has been entrusted with the arrangements. To extend online condolences, visit www.kullfuneral.com.