Joan M. Erdesky

Joan M. Erdesky, 67, of Needmore, PA, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on May 15, 2025 at her home. She was born on February 10, 1958, in Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA. She was the sixth of seven children born to Lt. Col. Joseph L. Erdesky and Virginia M. Erdesky. Joan is survived by her husband Roger Lyle and identical twin daughters, Charlotte Enfield and Juliette (Tom) Buell and two well-loved cats, Sunny Boy and Cherie.
Joan earned her B.A. in French Language and Literature from the University of Maryland in 1979. She had an impressive career in the Metro DC Area beginning with AAA World Wide Travel and The National Gallery of Art. She then moved into graphic design and taught herself typesetting. This led her to Weadon Printing where she learned the printing business. Thereafter she was employed by the advertising firms Earle Palmer Brown, RTC Direct, and Loughlin Creative. Joan was employed seasonally by the Smithsonian Institution Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage for 10 years as editor, proofreader, and/or graphic design artist. She also taught graphic design courses at Hagerstown Community College in Hagerstown, MD. Joan worked at the Herald-Mail newspaper in Hagerstown and did page layout and worked for the new Herald-Mail tv station.
Joan's graphic design expertise further enhanced her husband's enterprise, Motorcycle Xcitement!. With Roger, she developed the website, created forms, graphics, and helped build and maintain the business in all aspects.
She was a volunteer beginning in her youth as a Candy Striper, and later with The Valley Co-op in Hagerstown, MD, The Washington County Commission for Women, Habitat for Humanity, and Hospice. Joan instilled to her daughters her love of nature, the arts, the importance of kindness and love, and the richness and excitement of life. During Joan's life, she traveled all over the US, and to Europe and Africa.
She is survived by three sisters, Judith Erdesky of Punxsutawney, PA, Jeanne (Grady) Thompson of Conway, SC, Joyce Denny of Virginia Beach, VA, and brother-in-law Paul Lissy of Lewes, DE.
Joan is also survived by three nephews, Gregory (Karen) Lissy, Adam (Marya) Erdesky, and Bret Denny and two nieces, Diana (Frank) Macchio, and Lindsey (Chris Cunningham) Denny.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers Joseph Erdesky and James Erdesky, and a sister Janice Lissy.
The family has entrusted Joan's care to Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home in McConnellsburg, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kelso-corneliusfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, Joan has requested that memorial contributions be made to her favorite charity, Doctors Without Borders at www.doctorswithoutborders.org. A celebration of Joan's life will be held in the near future.