Joan Holmes

Joan Louise (Warwick) Holmes, 92, of Dunmore, passed away peacefully on All Saints Day, November 1, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was married to the late Robert B. Holmes for 52 years.

Born in Scranton, Joan was the daughter of the late Francis P. and Catherine Stull Warwick. She was valedictorian of Marywood Seminary’s class of 1948 and soon after married Bob. Joan earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Catholic University after her first child was born. She and Bob lovingly raised 7 children while she continued her education, returning to Marywood and earning her master’s degrees in Education. She was a fourth-grade teacher at Robert Morris Elementary School in the Scranton School District for 21 years until she retired in 1993. She earned a second master’s degree in Community Counseling from Marywood University and worked as a private counselor for more than three decades helping countless individuals, couples, and families.

Her entire life was devoted to helping others. Living out her faith, she worked alongside Monsignor Esseff and ministered to the underprivileged of Lackawanna County, spent decades in prison ministry at Lackawanna County prison, and hosted a Sunday evening rosary group where many found their faith and love for the Blessed Mother. If someone was homeless, she gave them shelter; if they were hungry, she fed them; if they were sick, she cared for them. She was a true servant of God.

She is survived by her children: Pat (Melanie) Holmes, Plattsburgh, NY; Kathleen (Joseph) Gedrich, Throop; Maribeth (Donald) Hineline, Moscow; Maureen Arduino, Moscow; Robert (Salina) Holmes, Dunmore; Jeanne (Chris) Massaro, Dunmore, and her adopted son, Thahn (Phi) Nguyen, Maryland, a son-in-law David Rodgers, Dunmore,  22 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

 She was preceded in death by her daughter, Karen Rodgers and her brother, Ronald Warwick.

The funeral will be Thursday from the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 East Drinker Street in Dunmore with Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30AM in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Smith St. Dunmore. Interment will follow at the Cathedral Cemetery in Scranton. Family and friends may pay their respects on Wednesday from 4PM-7PM at the funeral home.

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