Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love

Passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026, after a brief but brave battle with metastatic lung cancer. Until then, she lived an active adventurous, and fulfilling life. She enjoyed traveling with friends and family, creating beautiful cross-stitch pieces, gardening, the occasional casino trip with loved ones, and doting on animals.

Early in her life, she was an avid dog lover and cared for both pedigreed dogs and mutts. Later, when she could no longer manage dogs, she developed a deep affection for cats of every kind - from three-legged to blind-- none of whom had any trouble managing her. Joan loved all her animals wholeheartedly, regardless of their strengths or shortcomings.

Joan enjoyed a happy, though all too brief, marriage to her late husband, William P. Carroll of Geneva, NY. She was the daughter of Fred and Florine Geiser Arnold.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, Anna (Francis) Knorr, Mildred (Ed) Debold, Esther (Paul) Escher, Florine (Don) Huff, Rose (Mike) Byrne and Ruth (Tony) Ciraula.

She is survived by her stepsons, Robert and Jeffrey Carroll; her nieces, Janet (Jerry) Ries and Mary Joyce Byrne; her nephew, Edmund "Bucky" (Patty) Debold; her grand-niece, Joanne (John D'Amico) Ries; her grand-nephew, Jerry (Laurie) Ries; and many other nieces and nephews.

Her kindness touched everyone she met. Her cross-stitch creations remain cherished keepsakes. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is reunited with her beloved husband and the many pets she cherished throughout her life. Joan will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Blessed Trinity Parish, St. Sylvester Church on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life luncheon. Everyone please meet at church. Arrangements were handled privately by the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227. In lieu of flowers, Joan requested that donations in her name be made to Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh, 6926 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208.