Joan M. Blest

Joan M. Blest, 89, of New Holland, died on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at Garden Spot Village surrounded by her husband of 66 years, Frank Dawson Blest and family.

Born in West Grove, PA, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Dorothy (Strahorn) McCleary. She grew up on a dairy farm and always had a great love for farmland, fresh vegetables and flowers. While attending The King’s College, Joan put her faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord and walked faithfully with Him all the days of her life. Joan and Frank were married at New London Presbyterian Church, New London, PA on April 26, 1958.

Joan was a homemaker, a loving wife and mother of three children. During the first 15 years of marriage there were several moves for the family from Chester County to Lancaster County and then to Lehigh County in 1973. Joan became a member of Faith Evangelical Free Church, Allentown, where she was in leadership with the women’s ministry for many years. She and Frank opened their home to friends, relatives, strangers and missionaries. She was a friend to many women, always willing to listen, pray with them and point them to Jesus. Sending cards was a ministry that she continued to do even as her eyesight began to fail and her body became weaker. Joan loved all her family, but especially delighted in her five grandchildren. She and Frank made many special memories with them, including two Blest family vacations to Bermuda. In the fall of 2015, she and Frank left their much-loved home on the hilltop and moved to Garden Spot Village in New Holland where they both continued to show love and compassion for people they met. Joan’s greatest desire was for people to give their hearts and lives to Jesus Christ. At her passing she was an associate member at The Community Church at Garden Spot Village.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by three children: Stephen R. (Susan) Blest, Alburtis, PA, Kathryn B. (Stephen) Austvold, Fergus Falls, MN, Mark D. (Kimberly) Blest, East Earl, PA, five grandchildren: Savannah Blest, Stephanie (Albert) Sampson, Lindsey (Peter) Van Ness, Katelyn (Doug) Condran, and Justin Blest, three great-grandchildren: Hugh, Bryson, and Ingrid and a brother, Robert (Jane) McCleary and two nieces, two nephews and several cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother David McCleary and sister-in-law Loretta McCleary.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Garden Spot Village Chapel, 433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland. The family will receive friends at the chapel from 10 – 11 a. m. Burial will be private at New London Presbyterian Cemetery. Kindly omit flowers. If desired, a memorial in Joan’s memory may be sent to CrossNet Ministries, P. O. Box 154, New Holland, PA 17557. The Groff-High Funeral Home, New Holland, is in charge of arrangements. Remembrances and condolences may be posted at www.groffeckenroth.com.