Joan Marie Zekan

JOAN MARIE
ZEKAN of Charleston, WV, was born on June 4, 1992, and departed us suddenly on March 22, 2024, in Las Vegas, NV.
Joan was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church and graduated from Charleston Catholic High School in 2010, where she was a standout student and a member of the drama club and cheerleading squad. She attended the College of Wooster where she majored in French with a minor in Communications. She was captivated by the French language and culture, studied abroad at the Sorbonne and the Catholic University of Paris, then later moved there for a time.
Joan had an affinity for children and spent many summers babysitting. During her time in
France, she treasured her work as an English tutor for children and also served as an au-pair. She often taught the children's liturgy at St. Agnes, and was consistently engaged with the children of the parish and their parents.
Joan was full of compassion and hospitality, always interested in serving others. Throughout high school, she worked with children's camps and had the utmost compassion for those less fortunate than her in rural Appalachia. She spent time working for the Save the Children foundation in Denver, CO, where she raised funds to fight childhood hunger. More recently, she was employed in hospitality at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.
Those left to remember Joan's legacy are her loving parents, Dr. Stephen and Catherine Zekan of Charleston, WV; her Grandmother, Verna Zekan of Charleston, WV; her siblings, Mary Onderdonk (Adam & Victoria) of Pittsford, NY, and David Zekan (fiancée Mary Novak) of Morgantown, WV, amongst many devoted aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Preceding her in death were her maternal Grandparents, Robert "Bob" and Nellie Jarrett of Scott Depot, WV, paternal Grandfather, Dr. John G. Zekan of Charleston, WV, and Uncle John G. Zekan Jr. of Charleston, WV.
Funeral Mass will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 4807 Staunton Avenue SE, Charleston, WV 25304, with Monsignor Fred Annie officiating. Entombment will be private.
Visitation will begin two hours prior at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Joan's memory to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 199 Water Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10038, development@afsp.org , or by calling (212) 363-3500.
You may send condolences to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.
Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with final arrangements.