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In Loving Memory

Steele, Joan Frances

Steele, Joan Frances,(nee Pavlik) passed away peacefully, Friday, January 15, 2021. Devoted wife of 51 years to James L Steele.  Beloved mother of Stephen (Sandra Rendon) Steele and Laura (Jon) Begley. Grandma of Samuel, Gabriel and Benjamin Begley and Max and Mason Steele.  Sister of Margie (Denny) Krupinski, Joe Pavlik, the late Mary Ellen Swift, the late James Pavlik and the late Richard Pavlik. Sister-in-law of Sandra Pavlik, Brenda Pavlik, Dick Steele and Deborah (Bill) Green and the late Bill Swift. Lifelong friend of Nancy Schnell, dear aunt, great aunt, cousin, adopted grandma, friend and teacher to many.

Born and Raised in South St. Louis City to the late Joseph and Helen (Kranda) Pavlik she attended Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School then Notre Dame High School.    She met the love of her life Jim while earning her BS degree in Elementary Education from Southwest Missouri State.    She taught for a couple years until she chose to stay home with her two young children.   Once both of her children were school aged, she went back to teaching first at St. Vincent DePaul in Cape Girardeau, MO then Queen of All Saints in St. Louis where she taught 1st grade for many years.    While teaching she went back to college (UMSL) where she earned her master’s degree and became a reading specialist graduating with honors.   She ended her teaching career as a Title 1 teacher in various schools helping those in most need with reading and math.   She retired from teaching to spend time taking care of her mother in her final years and her incredibly loved 5 grandchildren.

Joan was a devout Catholic who believed her calling to teach in Catholic Schools was a vocation not just a job.   She spent time with her husband taking cruises, country line dancing with Midwest Dance Club, bowling and attending every single sporting and school activity that her grandson’s participated in.   She was a night owl who could be found awake at 2am either scrapbooking, reading, doing cross stitch, watching HGTV or Bull Riding on television.   Before Dementia struck her in her late 60’s Joan could spend hours talking on the phone to friends and family.   She was often found in her garden or the garden at her parish planting new bulbs or weeding garden beds.  She enjoyed her grandsons and was the grandma willing to get on the floor, play baseball in the house and spend endless hours entertaining them.

Dementia took so much from Joan but it did not take away her smile, grace and love of dancing where ever there was music.    She will be greatly missed and unable to be forgotten.   A private burial at Jefferson Barracks will be followed in the late spring/early summer with a Celebration of Life Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church.   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or a Rosary can be prayed in honor of all those suffering from Dementia.

Service: Roadside Services will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Thursday, February 4, at 11:15 am.

Condolences

32 thoughts on “Steele, Joan Frances”

  1. Such a beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul. Will miss her smiling face and those gentle punches. Sending hugs and prayers to the entire family during the next phase of this journey called life.

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  2. Such a beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul. Will miss her smiling face and those gentle punches. Sending hugs and prayers to the entire family during the next phase of this journey called life.

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  3. What a lovely tribute. The world was a better place for her being a part of it! My thoughts and prayers are with all those who knew and loved her.

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  4. What a lovely tribute. The world was a better place for her being a part of it! My thoughts and prayers are with all those who knew and loved her.

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  5. I would like to extend my condolences. I am sorry that I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing her. Heaven has claimed another angel.

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  6. I would like to extend my condolences. I am sorry that I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing her. Heaven has claimed another angel.

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  7. I met Joan at Queen of All Saints when we were among the first group of teachers as the school opened for the 1985 school year. She was a dedicated, energetic, joyful, loving teacher and friend. I know with certainty that she is in God’s loving care. And, Joan, you will never be forgotten.

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  8. I met Joan at Queen of All Saints when we were among the first group of teachers as the school opened for the 1985 school year. She was a dedicated, energetic, joyful, loving teacher and friend. I know with certainty that she is in God’s loving care. And, Joan, you will never be forgotten.

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  9. What a beautiful tribute to our dear Aunt Joan. Our hearts are with you all during this sad time. With love – Becky, Jeff, Rosie, Hank & Zak

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  10. What a beautiful tribute to our dear Aunt Joan. Our hearts are with you all during this sad time. With love – Becky, Jeff, Rosie, Hank & Zak

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  11. Jim and all of your incredible family, I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful wife, mother and grandmother. She was undoubtedly a special lady that deserved her devoted family that I know she loved more than life itself. You all are and will always be in my thoughts.

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  12. Jim and all of your incredible family, I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful wife, mother and grandmother. She was undoubtedly a special lady that deserved her devoted family that I know she loved more than life itself. You all are and will always be in my thoughts.

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  13. Laura and family,

    What a beautiful light Joan was for the world. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth, love, smiles, compassion, and joy. Sending prayers of comfort

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  14. Laura and family,

    What a beautiful light Joan was for the world. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth, love, smiles, compassion, and joy. Sending prayers of comfort

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  15. My deepest sympathy to Jim, Stephen, Laura and each of the family……..the times I was blessed to be with the family are times I will always think of that wonderful smile…….my love and prayers to all……..

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  16. My deepest sympathy to Jim, Stephen, Laura and each of the family……..the times I was blessed to be with the family are times I will always think of that wonderful smile…….my love and prayers to all……..

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  17. Laura & family – Your mom was such a beautiful soul. I always enjoyed being around her. Loved her smile! Her love of family was beyond admirable. She will definitely be missed by all – love to all of you!

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  18. Laura & family – Your mom was such a beautiful soul. I always enjoyed being around her. Loved her smile! Her love of family was beyond admirable. She will definitely be missed by all – love to all of you!

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  19. What a beautiful tribute! It sounds like she loved life and family to the fullest. I hope your memories of her bring you comfort and peace. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

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  20. What a beautiful tribute! It sounds like she loved life and family to the fullest. I hope your memories of her bring you comfort and peace. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

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  21. Dear Laura, I’m so sorry for your loss. She sounds terrific, a lot like you. I wish you, the boys and Jon peace. Love, Kathleen and Carolyn

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  22. Dear Laura, I’m so sorry for your loss. She sounds terrific, a lot like you. I wish you, the boys and Jon peace. Love, Kathleen and Carolyn

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  23. … our prayers to the Lord of Life for Joan … our condolences to the Steele & Begley Families … we will miss her smile & fashion style!

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  24. … our prayers to the Lord of Life for Joan … our condolences to the Steele & Begley Families … we will miss her smile & fashion style!

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  25. I’m so sorry for the loss of your Mom. Knowing how the two of you were, I suspect you will be talking with her everyday. Know that she is in an even better place now to ,keep an eye on you and your family !
    Love,
    Shirley

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  26. I’m so sorry for the loss of your Mom. Knowing how the two of you were, I suspect you will be talking with her everyday. Know that she is in an even better place now to ,keep an eye on you and your family !
    Love,
    Shirley

    Reply

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