Joanne Edmay (St. Jean) Stevenson, 81, of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2026, surrounded by friends and family.
Joanne was born on April 23, 1945, in Van Buren, Maine, to the late Melvina and Leon St. Jean.
To her children, she was lovingly known as “Ma” or “Mom,” and to her grandchildren, she was simply “Gram” or “Grandma.” Joanne was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother who leaves behind a family spanning many generations.
Joanne was funny, stubborn, and full of personality. She had a smile and laugh that could be seen and heard whenever she was surrounded by friends and family. She especially enjoyed the time she spent playing bingo, where her laughter and good humor were often on full display. She also loved spending time with “her” dog, Peaches, scratch-off tickets, doing word searches, watching soap operas, and watching The Price Is Right.
Joanne was also a fighter. She faced open-heart surgery and breast cancer with determination and courage. Of the battles she fought, her journey through breast cancer was one of which she was especially proud. Each year, her family would gather together at the Relay for Life to walk alongside her and support her in her fight. Those evenings became more than an event—they were a reflection of the love and strength that surrounded Joanne and the family she loved so dearly.
In April 2026, Joanne accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Her family finds great comfort in knowing that when she passed away, she went home to be with her Lord. Her family is grateful for the hope of being reunited with her one day.
She is survived by her children, Karen (Ronald) Brown of Punxsutawney; Pam Stevenson of Johnstown; Sandy (Eric) Condron of Punxsutawney; Harry (Joyce) Stevenson of Punxsutawney; Melvina (Buddy Bair) Stevenson of Reynoldsville; and Michelle (Robert) Phillips of Punxsutawney.
She is also survived by her siblings, Edna Bouchard of South Carolina, Gilbert St. John of Connecticut, and Theresa Dunning of Delaware; 19 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Joanne was preceded in death by her son, Jimmy Stevenson; her great-grandson, Zane Hadden; four sisters; and seven brothers.
Thanks to the doctors, nurses, and support staff at Aspen Nursing and Rehab Center (formerly Mulberry Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center) for the care received while she was there, as well as the staff at Adoration Health for making her comfortable during her final hours.
Joanne will be deeply missed by her family and all who knew and loved her. Her memory will live on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and the many generations of family who were blessed to call her Ma and Gram.
A Memorial Service will be held at New Beginnings Church in Punxsutawney, PA, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 11:00 AM, with Pastor Tim Schreckengost, her grandson, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Perry Township Fire Company.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Fait - d’Argy Funeral Home, 117 N. Jefferson Street, Punxsutawney, PA 15767. Online condolences and other information may be found by visiting www.dargyfh.com
