JoAn S. Paul

In Loving Memory of Joan S. Paul

March 23, 1935 – August 8, 2025

Joan "JoAn" S. Paul, of Penn Hills, died on August 8, 2025, at the home of one of her sons, surrounded by loved ones. Known to her friends as "JoAn" or "Jo", and to her family as "Grandma Jo", she devoted her life to loving well and serving others.

Born with a heart made for loving others, JoAn was the true embodiment of an encourager. She had a gift for seeing the good in people, for offering hope in hard moments, and for walking beside others with compassion during moments of both joy and pain. She believed in the power of prayer, of kindness, of forgiveness, and of a love that transcends all things. Her faith was not just spoken, but lived: in how she listened, how she encouraged, and how she gave without hesitation.

JoAn was born on March 23, 1935, at West Penn Hospital in Bloomfield. She grew up in Penn Hills, graduating from Penn Hills High School in 1952. In 1956, she earned her Bachelor of Arts from Muskingum College in New Concord, OH. She obtained her Master of Arts from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the early 1980s - a reflection of her lifelong love of learning and personal development.

JoAn married William M Paul, of Pittsburgh, in 1957. They were married for 20 years and divorced in 1977. JoAn and William had three sons, Jonathan, David, and Robert. During her married life, JoAn and family lived in Murrysville, PA, where JoAn was active in her local church, Newlonsburg Presbyterian. In the 1970s, JoAn became involved in the Monroeville Mall Ministry "Talk Shop" and later became the Director. Here, she shared her gift for meeting people exactly where they were, providing a safe space to share freely without judgment, and offering the kind of comfort and presence that made one feel truly seen and valued. JoAn remained deeply devoted to, and active in, that organization for the rest of her life. Just two weeks before her passing, JoAn was still doing her regular volunteer sessions at the Monroeville Mall Ministry "Talk Shop."

In the late 1980s, JoAn returned to her childhood home in Penn Hills, where she lived independently until just one week before her death.

One of the deepest joys of JoAn's life was being "Grandma Jo." She absolutely loved the role and wore her "Grandma Jo" necklace with pride, joy, and devotion. Her eight grandchildren were her heart, and she made each one feel unconditionally loved, celebrated, accepted, and safe. Being their grandmother wasn't just a part of her identity - it was one of her greatest callings and deepest delights.

JoAn was preceded in death by her parents (George Walter Smith 1979 and Evangeline Giffen Smith 1996) and her brother (Arthur G. Smith 1992). JoAn is survived by her three loving sons and daughters-in-law - Jonathan and Kendra Paul, David and Rebecca Paul, Robert and Mina Paul - and her eight treasured grandchildren - Erin, Ian, Lillian, Forrest, Oscar, Ruby, Evangelina, and Myla, and a wide cherished circle of cousins and family, friends, neighbors, and spiritual family who will carry her light forward. JoAn led a beautiful life - made up of handwritten notes, and later daily texts, deep conversations, big hugs, thoughtful prayers, and so much joy! She had a circle of dear friends with whom she shared regular visits and weekly Taize worship at East Liberty Presbyterian Church. She loved attending performances by the PSO at Heinz Hall. But most of all, she loved simple family gatherings. We'll miss you, dear lady!

JoAn taught us that encouragement is a sacred gift and that kindness matters. She believed that everyone deserved to be seen and heard, and she gave that gift freely to all. One of JoAn's favorite sayings was - "We are all just walking each other home." JoAn's memory will be a rich and treasured blessing for years to come to all who knew her.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate JoAn's life on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM. The service will take place at Hebron Church, 10460 Frankstown Road in Penn Hills. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor her memory with an act of love or kindness, a moment of stillness, or simply by offering a listening ear to someone who needs it - as she so often did.

Arrangements entrusted to TRENZ FUNERAL HOME, INC., Penn Hills