FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOMES SINCE 1881
| Joan M. Verdi |
| March 30, 1932 - April 18, 2020 |
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Public Events and LocationsVisitation - Tuesday, July 14, 2020, 9:00 to 11:00 AM at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church, North WalesFuneral Mass - Tuesday, July 14, 2020, 11:00 AM at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church, North Wales Graveside Service - Tuesday, July 14, 2020, 12:30 PM at Hillside Cemetery, Roslyn Reception - Tuesday, July 14, 2020, 1:15 PM at North Hills Country Club, Glenside |
ContactsFuneral Home - Wetzel and Son Funeral Home - 501 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090 - 215-659-0911 - Map |
| Clergy - Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church - 1325 Upper State Road, North Wales, PA 19454 - 215-362-7400 - Map |
| Cemetery - Hillside Cemetery - 2556 Susquehanna Road, Roslyn, PA 19001 - 215-884-0696 - Map |
| Family Florist - Munera de Terra Flowers and Gifts - 1116 Horsham Road, Suite 10, Ambler, PA 19002 - 215-390-2030 - Map |
| Donation - JED Foundation - 6 East 39th Street, Suite 700, New York, NY 10016 - 212-647-7544 - Map |
On April 18, 2020 Joan Marie Verdi (nee Sundheim) passed peacefully held by the hand of Jesus. She was born on March 30, 1932, in Philadelphia, PA to Walter and Marie Sundheim. She was the oldest of their five children and enjoyed many laughs with her cherished sister Anne Wightman (Rich), and late siblings Walter Sundheim (Marie), Marie Laackman (Don) and Eva Laackman (Jerry). She spent her earlier years in the Kensington section of Philadelphia and graduated from Little Flower High School in 1950. She worked at Philco doing secretarial work, where she met her lifelong love, Jack. They soon married and moved to Lawncrest to raise a family. Joan was the loving mother to Michael (Monica), John (Christine), Marygrace Martin (Dan), Anne Marie Jones (Michael), the late Thomas (Colleen) and the late Christopher. After years of being a home-maker, she worked part-time at the local Five and Dime store. Once widowed, she began full-time clerical work at the Navy Depot until retirement.
Joan lived a simple and selfless life, always giving from her heart. Leaving behind a beautiful legacy - her love of family, whom she loved, “Best of All”. Her warm smile gave joy to others. For those who knew her, she will forever be remembered as inspiring, genuine, silly, sassy, audacious, tenacious, selfless, kindhearted, generous, honest, empathetic, resilient, devoted, and compassionate.
She loved crocheting, ceramics, reading, cooking, eating sweets, prayerful retreats, John Denver songs, playing cards and spoiling her sixteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, who lit up her world. She captivated her large family with her infectious laughter and storytelling, usually about her own comical adventures. Rarely did she get the words correct to the songs she’d sing or the singers who sang them, but it makes those memories of her even sweeter. She shared many laughs and tears with her numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and close friends, whom she loved.
Joan endured much heartache and suffering in her life but found serenity and peace at the shore. The ocean drew her to God’s splendor and His cleansing water that made her feel like she can begin again after any struggle. By the sea, she learned to find purpose and a gift in each hardship she endured. As infinite as the ocean, so too was her loving heart. She found purpose in making meals for friends, volunteering with hospice and at St. William’s Church, fervently praying for others upon becoming a Discalced Carmelite of the Third Order or writing thoughtful notes to anyone in need. Her words of wisdom had the same soothing effect as perpetual waves.
The ocean tides may come and go but her love for us will remain in our hearts forever. She would want her loved ones to find a gift amidst sadness. She would want us to feel joy because the sea is calm tonight. She is finally home!
Take comfort in these words that she believed, inspired by her faith ….
When you lay your head down for the last time, your life is just beginning.
Relatives and friends were invited to her visitation on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 from 9:00 A.M. and Funeral Mass at 11:00 A.M. at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church, 1325 Upper State Road, North Wales, PA 19454. Her graveside service followed at Hillside Cemetery, 2556 Susquehanna Road, Roslyn, PA 19001.
*** PLEASE NOTE - Mary Mother of The Redeemer is operating under specific requirements issued by the State of Pennsylvania for the safety of all citizens. All attendees will be required to socially distance while at the church. All attendees will be required to wear a face mask while at the church. During the visitation, the church will not permit attendees to gather in groups inside the church narthex and all attendees will be expected to remain socially distanced in a single-file line to greet the family. Mary Mother of The Redeemer has asked Wetzel and Son to enforce these procedures during the visitation and Mass. ***
Joan’s charitable nature, along with personal tragedy, brought about her heartfelt desire to shine a light on teen mental health and suicide prevention. Memorial donations may be made to The JED Foundation, 6 E. 39th Street, Suite 700, New York, NY 10016.
www.wetzelandson.com
Joan lived a simple and selfless life, always giving from her heart. Leaving behind a beautiful legacy - her love of family, whom she loved, “Best of All”. Her warm smile gave joy to others. For those who knew her, she will forever be remembered as inspiring, genuine, silly, sassy, audacious, tenacious, selfless, kindhearted, generous, honest, empathetic, resilient, devoted, and compassionate.
She loved crocheting, ceramics, reading, cooking, eating sweets, prayerful retreats, John Denver songs, playing cards and spoiling her sixteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, who lit up her world. She captivated her large family with her infectious laughter and storytelling, usually about her own comical adventures. Rarely did she get the words correct to the songs she’d sing or the singers who sang them, but it makes those memories of her even sweeter. She shared many laughs and tears with her numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and close friends, whom she loved.
Joan endured much heartache and suffering in her life but found serenity and peace at the shore. The ocean drew her to God’s splendor and His cleansing water that made her feel like she can begin again after any struggle. By the sea, she learned to find purpose and a gift in each hardship she endured. As infinite as the ocean, so too was her loving heart. She found purpose in making meals for friends, volunteering with hospice and at St. William’s Church, fervently praying for others upon becoming a Discalced Carmelite of the Third Order or writing thoughtful notes to anyone in need. Her words of wisdom had the same soothing effect as perpetual waves.
The ocean tides may come and go but her love for us will remain in our hearts forever. She would want her loved ones to find a gift amidst sadness. She would want us to feel joy because the sea is calm tonight. She is finally home!
Take comfort in these words that she believed, inspired by her faith ….
When you lay your head down for the last time, your life is just beginning.
Relatives and friends were invited to her visitation on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 from 9:00 A.M. and Funeral Mass at 11:00 A.M. at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church, 1325 Upper State Road, North Wales, PA 19454. Her graveside service followed at Hillside Cemetery, 2556 Susquehanna Road, Roslyn, PA 19001.
*** PLEASE NOTE - Mary Mother of The Redeemer is operating under specific requirements issued by the State of Pennsylvania for the safety of all citizens. All attendees will be required to socially distance while at the church. All attendees will be required to wear a face mask while at the church. During the visitation, the church will not permit attendees to gather in groups inside the church narthex and all attendees will be expected to remain socially distanced in a single-file line to greet the family. Mary Mother of The Redeemer has asked Wetzel and Son to enforce these procedures during the visitation and Mass. ***
Joan’s charitable nature, along with personal tragedy, brought about her heartfelt desire to shine a light on teen mental health and suicide prevention. Memorial donations may be made to The JED Foundation, 6 E. 39th Street, Suite 700, New York, NY 10016.
www.wetzelandson.com
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