Joann Guesman Obituary

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Joann E. (Schrecengost) Guesman, who passed away peacefully on Oct. 14, 2025, at the age of 92. Joann's nurturing spirit, unwavering support, and boundless love will forever live on in the hearts of her family. Joann was born on Oct. 23, 1932, in Scottdale, to Jean and Thomas E. Schrecengost. She graduated from Scottdale High School in 1950 and worked at Walworth Valve Company as an administrative assistant until she married the love of her life, Harold R. "Bud" Guesman, in 1956. She later became a working mother first working in Dr. Bigley's optometry office in Scottdale and later as a librarian, becoming head librarian at the Scottdale library from 1979 to 1996. Joann loved to shop introducing her grandchildren to the wonderful world of mall shopping, especially on Black Friday. She was a very talented baker and seamstress, sewing first for her two daughters and later sewing Halloween costumes, doll clothes, and matching dresses and outfits for her grandchildren. She was a longstanding member of Christ United Methodist Church in Scottdale and a member of the Co-Ed class, where she helped provide funeral lunches and spaghetti dinners and worked on their annual baked potato booth at the Scottdale Heritage Festival. Joann loved to read, and in her later years, when her eyesight failed, she continued to read through the Talking Books program for the blind. Joann was an avid sports fan the Steelers and the Penguins were her favorite teams but later in life she adopted the Detroit Lions and the Boston Celtics, as well as the University of Michigan, Michigan State, and Central Michigan football and basketball teams. Joann was a devoted daughter, wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Joann's greatest passion was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her two daughters, Kim Guesman of Farmington Hills, MI, and Kelli Wagner (and husband, Joe) of Boston, MA; her five grandchildren, Loren Perlberg (husband, James), Kasey Wagner (husband, Alex), Brian Evola (wife, Jessica), Shelby Wagner (husband, Ross), and Melanie Wagner (husband, David); her great-grandchildren, Wesley, Brielle, Cameron, and Nico; and her sister, Sandra (Schrecengost) McDowell; as well as cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 54 years, Harold R. "Bud" Guesman; her parents, Thomas and Jean Schrecengost; and her brother, Tom Schrecengost. A celebration of life will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at FRANK KAPR FUNERAL HOME INC., 417 Pittsburgh St., Scottdale, PA 15683, with a brief service to be held at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Perkins School for the Blind (Attention Development), 175 North Beacon St., Watertown, MA 02472 (www.perkins.org), which provided Joann books on tape, bringing her great joy in her later years after losing her eyesight. To view online obituary, send online condolences, send flowers, or obtain directions, please visit www.kapr.com