Joan Slanders Obituary

Age 75, of Aspinwall, formerly of Vandergrift, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Canterbury Family Hospice, of end stage renal failure. She was born to the late Ben J. and Johanna “Helen” Fazekas on June 1, 1949, in Parks Township.

Joan was a 1967 graduate of Kiski Area High School and a 1970 graduate of Duff’s Business Institute in Pittsburgh. At Duff’s, she met her true love, the late William J. Slanders. Bill and Joan were married on June 1 1974 and spent 40 blessed years together. 

Joan began her work career at St. Francis Hospital in 1971 as an executive administrative assistant until its closing in 2002. She then worked at UPMC St. Margaret’s Hospital as administrative assistant to the Vice President until her retirement in 2014.

She is survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Robert and Concetta Slanders of Wexford and numerous nieces and nephews including Mary Jo (Jeffrey, deceased) Knabb, Susan Rhoades, Lisa Rhoades, Michael (Diana) Slanders, Jessica (Kyle) Olesevich and Rebecca (Caleb) Huff and her cat, Bennie. She was preceded in death by her two elder sisters, Patricia A. George and Teresa M. Rhoades.

Joan enjoyed reading, taking photos of family and friends, cooking, family gatherings, and listening to her favorite singers, Elvis Presley and Danny O’Donnell. A devout Catholic, Joan lived in the words of St. Therese of Lisieux “Love proves itself through deeds”.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the physicians and staff at UPMC St. Margaret’s and Canterbury Family Hospice for their compassionate care.

Friends will be received at the WALTER J. ZALEWSKI FUNERAL HOME, 216 44th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 on Friday, March 14, 2025 from 9AM to 11AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12 noon at Christ the King Parish, St. Scholastica Roman Catholic Church in Aspinwall.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in Joan’s name to St. Margaret’s Foundation, 15 Freeport Rd. Pittsburgh PA 15215, the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023 or a charity of one’s choice.