Joan Gruwell, amazing wife, mother

Joan Gruwell, 78, passed away Sunday, March 5, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Joan was born Dec. 2, 1944, in Philadelphia, Pa., daughter of the late Mildred and John Miller.

She graduated in 1962 from Springfield High School in Delaware County, Pa., where she met the love of her life, C. Frank Gruwell. They married Nov. 30, 1963, and went on to have five beautiful children. Joan was an active member of her community as a Girl Scout leader and president of the Welcome Wagon in Murrysville, Pa. She enjoyed golfing, reading, bird-watching, crocheting, and cross-stitching, but her greatest joy in life was her family. Joan loved crocheting gorgeous blankets for her children and grandchildren as well as cooking extravagant meals as a self-taught chef.

She was preceded in death by her sister. Joan is survived by her husband, Frank; her children, Sondra "Soni" (Todd), Trish (Keith), Linda (Jamie), John (Tracey) and Donna (Buc); her grandchildren, Josh (Fabiola), Audrey (Jason), Nathan, Riley, Benjamin, Johnny, Charlie, Hannah, Gina and Jacob; her great-grandchild, Dakota; and many friends. Joan will be remembered for being an amazing wife, mother, grandmom, and friend. Loved by many, she will be forever missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Joan’s memory to Wounded Warrior Project, support.woundedwarriorproject.org; Tunnel to Towers; or Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

Visit Joan’s Life Memorial webpage and sign her virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.