JOAN PETRITA VASSARAS – Obituary
Joan Petrita Vassaras (nee Solis) of Franklinville passed away on Friday, April 10, 2020, just shy of her 81st birthday. Wife of 45 years to the late John D. Vassaras. Mother of Demitrios Vassaras, Michael J. (Wanda) Vassaras, Constantina Vassaras, and the late George Vassaras. Grandmother of Michael Jason Vassaras and Holly Vassaras; great-grandmother of Jacob Graham. Sister of Roland Solis, the late Arthur Solis, William Solis, Peter Solis, Sylvania Waskovich, the late Laura Grode, and Gregory Solis. Daughter of the late Pedro and Antonia (nee Diaz) Solis. Also survived by her faithful cat “Lola”.
Born and raised in Newtown, PA, Joan lived in Philadelphia for several years before moving to Franklinville 53 years ago. She was a graduate of Philadelphia General Hospital School of Nursing and worked for Kennedy Health Systems for 39 years as an RN and later Nursing Manager until her retirement in 2013.
Joan enjoyed gardening, tending to her flower beds and yard, and liked to travel including several trips to visit her husband’s family in Greece. She had an expansive collection of books in her home library as well as digital books all of which she enjoyed reading. Joan was very adept at keeping in touch with people who came into her life. She was a good friend, beloved by many, and was always willing to help anyone in need.
For many years, Joan has contributed to numerous charities. In keeping with her spirit of giving, contributions may be made in her memory to the Saint Joseph’s Indian School, 1301 N. Main Street, Chamberlain, SD 57325 which she has supported for more than 30 years and to the Franklinville Volunteer Fire Company Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 64, Franklinville, NJ 08322 which was especially dear to her heart. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and state restrictions, services are private under the direction of the BARCLAY FUNERAL HOME. Sign the guestbook or send condolences at BarclayFuneralHome.net.