Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love

Joyce Margretta (Robinson) LaQuatra, age 84, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family after a lengthy and courageous battle with multiple health issues.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years, John Joseph LaQuatra, daughters Lori (Ron) Strnisa, Marisa (Earl) Fentzel, grandchildren Soren, Sierra and Sandor Strnisa, Kayla Fentzel, sister Sandy (John) Thiebaud, nephew Don (Aleece) Barchfeld, and many other nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her sister Donna (Charles) Barchfeld and her parents Donald and Lillian Robinson.

Born on April 28, 1940 in Braddock-PA, she attended St. Sylvester Grade School and Brentwood High School where she lettered in basketball and volleyball. Upon graduation she attended St. Francis Nursing School then worked as a receptionist for the Hilton Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh where she met the love of her life at a Coke vending machine. They were married in 1963 at St. Sylvester Church and were residents in Baldwin-Whitehall for over 60 years. She modeled for various local agencies in her early twenties where she was introduced to a group of women who would be among her best friends and meet monthly for years. In the first 25 years of marriage she devoted her life to supporting her husband’s insurance business and raising her two daughters. In the 2000s she battled and survived cancer and doted on her 4 grandchildren.

Joyce cherished her annual family vacations in Ocean City, MD & Disneyworld, holidays & special occasions with the family, movies & lunch dates with her friends, celebrating her mother’s Irish heritage, journeys to Ireland with her sister Sandy, and numerous trips and cruises with her husband.

She will always be remembered for her big heart, constant smile, ever-sunny disposition, stylish fashions, her knack for striking up a conversation with just about anyone, hosting great parties and making people feel special.

Friends will be received at the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227 on Thursday, July 18, 2024 from 2-4 and 5-7 p.m. Funeral Prayer on Friday morning at 9:45. Mass of Christian Burial in Blessed Trinity Parish, St. Sylvester Church at 10:30 a.m. Flowers or donations to American Cancer Society, 106 Merchant Lane, Pittsburgh, PA 15205.