Joan Patricia Keith

Joan was taken by the angels on Sunday, January 4, 2015. She had been residing at Ebeid Hospice in Sylvania and passed away in the presence of her family. The daughter of the late Anthony and Helen (Wasielewski) Barabash, she was born on Saturday, February 15, 1930 in Toledo. Joan graduated from Woodward High School, Class of 1948.

Joan's career took her to various secretarial sales positions over the years, such as Sypert Realty, Heinzroth Mortgage Company, Montgomery Wards and Metropolitan Life Insurance. She became the first woman insurance agent for Metropolitan Life.

She married Gilbert L. Paren on April 19, 1952 and they later divorced. Joan married Richard W. Keith on October 3, 1986 and he survives. She was an avid reader, dancing when she was young and loved to cook for her family. Her greatest joy were her children and grandchildren whom she adored. The grandchildren enjoyed cooking with "Gram" on special occasions, especially pierogi's and special treats. She had special times with her grandson, Evan who was her little buddy. He loved to talk to Gram about what he called, "the olden days, Heaven and the Universe." Joan was interested in all the sports, music and education all the grandchildren were involved in.

Joan also loved watching the Detroit Tigers baseball, football, Stephen King novels and dining out. She was a former member of Gesu Church and was a current member of Little Flower Church.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Richard; children, Anthony (Diane) Paren of Naperville, Ill.; their children, Rebecca, Benjamin and Alyssa; daughter, Lynne Paren and her son, Evan; Richard's children, Pamela Lee and Richard (Terry) Keith, Jr.; seven step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Gerrie Lusiak and Delphine Corbett; many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and many kind and loving friends whom she will miss at Charlie's on Central Ave., The Mall and Little Flower Church. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her sisters, Donna Brownell, Dorothy Bauman; brothers, Walter Barabash and Ronald Barabash; brothers in law, Edward Corbett and Alvin Lusiak; nephew, John Barabash; infant nieces, Marie Barabash and Laurie Lusiak; infant nephews, Christopher Allman and Timothy Corbett.

The family will receive guests on Friday, January 9, 2015 from 2-8:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 W. Laskey Rd. (419-473-0300). They will also receive guests on Saturday at the funeral home starting at 11:00 a.m. Final Prayers will begin in the funeral home on Saturday at Noon followed by her Funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. at Little Flower Catholic Parish, 5522 Dorr St., Toledo, OH 43615.

Joan's family would like to specially thank the dedicated nurses and staff at Ebeid Hospice for their compassionate and loving care that they provided to Joan.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to Ebeid Hospice or to Little Flower Catholic Parish.



A Mother's Love
She never failed to do her best,
Her heart was true and tender,
She toiled for those she loved,
And left to remember.
A loving mother; kind and true.
Her equals on this earth are few,
A happy life, a peaceful end,
she died as she lived,
Everybody's friend.
If we had this world to give,
We would give it more;
to see our darling Mother;
Come smiling through the door.
Those who have a mother,
Should tender her with care;
For you never know her value,
Till you see her vacant chair.