Obituary of Joan L. Onopa

Joan Louise Onopa (73) of Pottstown, PA, passed peacefully on February 19th, 2024 at Paoli hospital with her husband’s hand in hers surrounded by her children.  She leaves behind her beautiful spirit, her vigor, her smile, her signature dance move, her many dear friends, a loving family, and thousands of strangers turned friends that have shared their story with her over the years.

The visitation and memorial service will be held at R. Strunk Funeral Home in Phoenixville, PA on Tuesday, February 27th, 2024.  

We welcome family & friends to join us for visitation beginning at 10:30am with a formal memorial service to follow at 12:30pm. Burial will be at a future date for the immediate family.  Joan’s memorial service will be an opportunity to grieve together, to honor a life well lived, to share our memories, and to remember a beautiful, strong, intelligent, and passionate individual.  We welcome you to join us dressed in vibrant colors - in memory of a vibrant woman.  

Joan was born in Bethlehem, PA to Julia & Maurice Postupack on January 8th, 1951. She lived in a loving home with her siblings; Mary Jane, Olga, Gloria, and Carl.  She went to Freedom High School and graduated in 1968. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Penn State University where she met her future husband and forever best friend, Lenny Onopa.  After months of friendship, a trip to Fort Lauderdale sparked a love story that would only be rivaled by romantic comedies and epic romance novels.  Beginning their life together, Joan and Lenny moved to Bloomington, Indiana where she received her Master of Social Work from Indiana University.  She dedicated her life to her work in this field - serving her patients and fighting for the care that they deserved.  She was active on United Way boards and various community organizations.  

She was a lover of music and dance - with a playlist that ranged from Crosby Stills & Nash to her favorite songbird, Ed Sheeran. Joan began to refine her signature dance move early on.  In order to do so, she committed to never missing a party…mastery requires dedication.  Here is a link to watch our tribute to her dances.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xtv_mdqtuk  

Her hands were always creating.. beautiful stained glass art, crocheted gloves, and a garden for her orchids.  She took immense pride in her Ukrainian heritage and honored the many unique holiday traditions.  She had a passion for travel and cherished her annual beach trips to Rehoboth with her family.  She would sit in the sun for hours - listening to the ocean with her husband - eating red licorice & peanut M&M’s. 

Joan and Lenny’s love story and the family they have built together was Joan’s greatest accomplishment in life.  She is survived by her husband Lenny, her children Justin, Morgan (Karissa), Ryan (Jenn), and her grandchildren Jaxon, Wren, Cecily, and Rafe Joan (due spring 2024)

Joan was her own.  She was a fighter and knew the pain and beauty that life could bring.  She shared both with the world…always saying “this is how we learn.”  She was ferocious in her opinions and knew no way other than that of her truth.  

In the days to come, let us honor Joan by living out the values she embodied. Let us ask questions, share stories, cherish our relationships, and approach life with the same zest and enthusiasm that she did. By doing so, we will keep her spirit alive and thriving within us and in the world around us.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the following organizations dedicated to ovarian cancer research.  

• The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center
• New Horizons Gynecological Cancer Research

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the care team that supported her through her final days of treatment.