Obituary of Joanna E. Lipinski

Joanna Keller Lipinski, 88, of Jacksonville Beach, FL, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. All were surprised by a diagnosis of stage 4 colon cancer on July 13th as she had just visited the beach on July 3rd and was still walking daily for exercise!

Born December 12, 1929, in Boalsburg, PA, at her grandparents' farm, she was the daughter of James Landis Keller and Beulah Smith Keller. Raised in Sinking Valley, PA on a dairy farm with her extended family including Uncle Arthur Keller, and cousins, Virginia Keller Shaffer, Walter Keller, George Keller and Ernie Keller, as well as her mother and siblings, Dorothy Louise Keller Stemple and Elwood "Woody" Keller, who have all preceded her in death. On February 24, 1955, in Philadelphia, she married Stanley Lipinski, who passed in 1986.

Joanna is survived by her son, Bryan Lipinski (Teresa) of Atlantic Beach, FL; niece and nephew, whom she raised as her own, Sharon Stemple of West Fairview, PA and Scott Stemple of Fort Lauderdale; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren, who affectionately called her "AJ" or "GG". She is also survived by the Joanna Lipinski Nursing Scholarship, funded in perpetuity at the University of Pennsylvania Nursing and Wharton Schools.

Joanna graduated from Altoona High School in 1949 and won a scholarship to Chestnut Hill School of Nursing (now affiliated with University of Pennsylvania) and graduated as a registered nurse in 1951. Joanna worked as a surgical scrub nurse at North Eastern Hospital in Philadelphia for many years and as a private duty nurse. Later, she worked as an emergency room nurse at Crozer-Chester Hospital for twelve years, until retiring in 1986. Consistent with her personality, Joanna enjoyed jobs where she could do the most good.

Joanna lived in Holmes, PA until 1999. After which, she lived at 12 Oaks in Dallas, TX (1999-2010); at Park Manor in Nashville, TN (2010-2018); and for her last six weeks, at HarborChase in Jacksonville Beach, FL.

Joanna was always active and ready for adventure… taking kids for ice cream at 9pm in their pajamas, driving 10 kids to the local pool (all managing to fit into her Galaxy 500 convertible!), sailing on the QE 2, rafting in Alaska, exploring Egypt, or hiking up Ayers Rock in Australia. Recently her adventures became tamer - visiting a butterfly garden or being driven to see Christmas lights. For her last adventure, less than two weeks before her death, Bryan took Joanna to the beach and she reveled in the splendor of the Atlantic.

Joanna was a member of The Daughters of the American Revolution, Order of the Eastern Star, Holmes Presbyterian Church, and many bowling leagues (a skilled bowler holding many lane records.) She was always available as an informal medical resource and was the perfect embodiment of the saying "Nurses never retire, they just stop getting paid." Joanna continued to use her nursing skills where she lived and through volunteer organizations and community events.

She wanted to live to be 100, but 88 ½ is a grand old age. Her family misses her but knows she is finally with God and the Angels she adored all her life. Cheers to a life well and fully lived!

A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m., Saturday, July 28, 2018 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College.

A graveside service will be held at 3:30 pm, Saturday, July 28, 2018 at Mooresville Cemetery in Petersburg, located adjacent to the Shaver's Creek Fire Company, 5474 Charter Oak Road, Petersburg, PA 16669

Memorial contributions may be directed in her memory to The Stanley Charitable Foundation, 1909 Sevilla Blvd West, Atlantic Beach, Fl 32233. The Stanley Charitable Foundation supports nursing education and charitable organizations.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.