Joy M. Pietschmann

Joy M. Pietschmann, 54 of Lafayette Hill, PA (originally from Downingtown, PA) passed away Friday May 14, 2021 at St. Mary’s Center in Lansdale.

Born September 25, 1966 in Reading, PA she was the daughter of Walter E. Pietschmann, Jr. and Faith Tyson Battan.

Joy was a 1984 graduate of Downingtown Senior High School and a 1988 graduate of West Chester University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French with minors in International Relations and Political Science. Joy received her Certificate in Volunteer Administration (CVA) in 2012. 

Joy began her 33 year career as an interpreter at Independence National Historical Park, spent most of her years as the Servicewide Volunteer Program Manager of the National Park Service, and the last few years as the Interpretive Media Project Manager for the Northeast Region at the National Park Service.

Joy served on the board of a number of organizations:

            Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (ALIVE)

            The Interior Federal Credit Union

            Federal Interagency Team on Volunteers (FITV), where she helped develop the Volunteer Natural and

            Cultural Volunteer Recruitment Portal called volunteer.gov.

            John James Audubon Center where she helped conceptualize many of the displays in the Visitor Center.

She was also a member of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity and a member of First Presbyterian Church of West Chester.

Joy enjoyed bicycling especially for charitable events, wine tasting, fishing, crocheting, calligraphy, golfing, the Philadelphia Eagles, fantasy football, playing cards, watching British TV and historical dramas.  She had a great love of the out-of-doors especially our family vacation spot at Mountain Springs Lake.  Joy was quite adventurous when it came to food and loved trying new recipes.  She had an infectious laugh and a smile that lit up the room.  She truly lived into her name!

Joy is survived by her father, Walter E. Pietschmann, Jr. of Eden, N.C; her mother, Faith T. Battan of Bradenton, FL; and her brother, Rev. Walter E. Pietschmann III of Sewickley, PA; her nephew, Tyler Pietschmann, her dear friend and companion, Maggie Hanson, several aunts/uncles, cousins and dear friends.  All who will miss her greatly.

She was proceeded in death by both sets of grandparents.

Relatives and Friends are invited to her visitation on Friday, May 21, 2021 from 2:00pm-4:00pm or 6:00pm-8:pm at DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith, and Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 North Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380.  Her memorial Service will be Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 10:00am First Presbyterian Church of West Chester 130 W. Miner St., West Chester, PA 19382.

Interment will be in Longwood Cemetery Kennett Square, PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society 1818 Market St. Suite 2820, Philadelphia PA 19103; http://www.cancer.org