Joan M. (Rakocy) Schmitt

Joan M. (Rakocy) Schmitt
May 16, 1936 – May 15, 2025
Hershey, PA

Joan M. (Rakocy) Schmitt—beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend—passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025, one day before her 89th birthday.

Born on May 16, 1936 to Alfred and Alice (Davis) Rakocy, Joan grew up in Nutley, NJ, and married her beloved husband, Frederick Schmitt, on September 26, 1959. She worked for ITT and a local market for many years, but her most treasured role was as a devoted wife and mother. Those who knew her will remember her quiet strength, gentle kindness, generous spirit, and steadfast faith in Jesus Christ.

In 1994, Joan and Fred relocated from New Jersey to Maryland, later moving to Florida before settling in Pennsylvania. Throughout Joan’s life, her faith in Jesus Christ was her anchor, guiding her through joys and sorrows—including the loss of her husband in 2005.

Family was Joan’s greatest earthly joy. She dedicated herself to raising her children and cherished her role as grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a gifted athlete—winning tournaments in bowling, tennis, and golf—and a talented artist who found meaning and beauty through her creativity in later years.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and husband; she is survived by her three children: daughters Debra (Paul) Hoyt and Denys (Glenn) Pfeiffer, both of Hershey, PA; and son Frederick (Rosa) Schmitt of Nutley, NJ; along with 12 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and identical twin sister, Janice (Rakocy) Geene.

Joan’s legacy of faith, love, hope, and humility will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

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