Joan C. Staruch

Joan C. Staruch, 88, formerly of Freeland, and a guest at The Laurels Senior Living Community, passed away Sunday in Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton.

Born in Hazleton, she was the daughter of the late John and Veronica (Birosh) Matas.

She was a member of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish at St. Ann's Church, Freeland.

Joan was a registered nurse for the former Hazleton State Hospital in the maternity ward, later retiring from White Haven Center.

She loved her grandchildren, having Sunday dinner and conversations with her husband and family at her kitchen table. Joan enjoyed vacationing with family, stories of her grandchildren, watching their sports and dance competitions, going to New York, ordering from Sorrento's, watching TV, reading gossip magazines and her good friends and staff of The Laurels.

Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her husband, Thomas, on Nov. 14, 2012; and sisters, Leona Stivers, Elizabeth Burns, Mary Hludzik and Delen Tabino.

She was the last surviving member of her parents and siblings.

Surviving are her son, Thomas and his wife, Michele; daughter, Kristin and her husband, Joseph Palma; grandchildren, Gabrielle Lizbinski and her husband, Louis; Nathaniel Staruch; Mikaelyn Strauch and her fiancé, Cameron Carsia; Tyler and Mattea Palma; and great-grandchildren, Isabella, Nash and Isla Lizbinski. Nieces and nephews also survive.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon Thursday in Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish at St. Ann's Church, 898 Centre St., Freeland.

Burial will follow in St. Ann's Cemetery, Freeland.

Friends may call at McNulty Funeral Home, 494 E. Butler Drive, Freeland, from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and at the church from 11:30 a.m. to noon Thursday.