Joan E. (Devine) Moody

Joan Elizabeth Moody, 89, a long-time resident of South Waverly, PA and more recently residing at the Sayre Personal Care Center/Residence, went to be with her Lord on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023 after a short bout with pancreatic cancer.  She was born on January 1, 1934 in Rush, PA to the late Olive (Light) and Haskell Devine.  Joan is predeceased by her husband of 33 years, Stanley Moody, as they were married in 1978 until his passing in 2011.  She is survived by her first cousin, Fred (Carol) Light of Honesdale, PA (son of her mother’s brother) and their descendants and sisters-in-law Pat Moody of Traverse City, Michigan (Stan’s brother Jim’s wife) and Grace Gevert (Stan’s sister) of Endicott, NY.

Joan was a graduate of Rush High School (1951), Mansfield University (bachelor’s degree, 1955), and Penn State University (master’s degree, 1963).  She was a teacher for 35 years including being a principal.  She loved teaching 4th, 5th and 6th graders in the Athens School District, with 4th grade being her favorite.  She cared deeply for her students and has kept to the day of her passing the class picture for each class she taught with each full name carefully written on the back.  She almost never went to a public place in the Valley where she didn’t run into and receive a warm greeting from a former student or a student’s family.

Though Joan had no siblings and no biological children, she was endeared by many including her friend of 25 years, Kim Paul of Waverly, NY as well as David Wright of Bergen, NY and Judy Steigauf of Glasgow, KY who call her Aunt Joan, both children of her dear departed friend, Thelma Wright, to name only a few.  In addition, she was a mother figure to many of her students and to the children of her extended family and friends. 

Joan had a strong Christian faith and her life verse was Philippians 4:13:  “I can do all thing through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  She was a member of the North Waverly Chapel since 1979 where she served the Lord playing the piano for services, was an avid supporter and leader of missions, served as a point person for the prayer ministry, and led the visitation team with her husband visiting shut-ins every week for many, many years while they were able.

She and Stan traveled extensively visiting almost every state including Hawaii and Alaska, Canada, the Holy Land, and Europe.  Joan also loved going for pleasure rides, eating ice cream (and pretty much any desert!), being with people, and listening to music groups.

Family and friends may call at the Lowery-Urban Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 225 S. Main Street, Athens, on Friday, December 1, 2023 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am with a funeral service following at 11:00 am with the Rev. William Wells officiating.  Interment will follow at the Rushville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Missions at the North Waverly Chapel, 40 State Route 34, Waverly, NY  14892 or the Eldercare ministry of The Bridge of the Penn-York Valley Churches, P.O. Box 202, Sayre, PA 18840.

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