Joan Frame Petro, of Smyrna, Delaware passed away with her loved ones by her side on February 2, 2019. She was 81.

She was born on October 13, 1937 in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania to the late Hannah Viola Frame and John Jancuska.

She was a graduate of Ridley Park High School. Inspired by her deaf parents, she later studied sign language at Gallaudet University and worked at Elwyn Institute.

Joan was a member of the Saint Polycarp Catholic Church in Smyrna Delaware and was a member of Al-Anon for many years and loved her friends there. She enjoyed camping at the Jersey Shore. She was the best Mom in the world.💖 Her love for God and faith in Jesus Christ gave her strength throughout her life.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband Leonard R. Petro in 2013; and her brother, John Jancuska.

She is survived by her children, Craig Ponte and wife Faye, of North East, MD.; Bonnie DeGirolano and husband Gene, of Millsboro Delaware; Leonard Petro Jr. and Thomas Petro and wife Kathleen who cared for her at home in Smyrna, Delaware. She is also is survived by her beloved grandchildren, Fawn Smith Kaczynski, Jason Kaczynski, Amanda DeGirolano, Jonathan DeGirolano, Sean Ponte, Corey Ponte and her great-grandchildren, Hope James, Kelsey Smith, Nathan Smith, Natalie Smith, Ryder Ponte and Carson Ponte; a sister, Hannah Evans and her husband Charlie, of Newark, Delaware; four nephews, Doug Evans, Johnny Jancuska, Joseph Jancuska, James Jancuska MD; and her niece Jamie Baker. In addition, Rev. Anderson Okeke has been and will always remain our caring, dedicated, and dependable family friend who has gone above and beyond supporting us and helping us with constant caregiving, prayers, and comfort.

A celebration of her life will be on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home 123 W. Commerce Street, Smyrna, DE 19977. The viewing will be at 11:00 AM and the service will be 12:00 PM. Burial will follow in Old Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna, DE.

Deacon Charles Robinson, Rev. Anderson Okeke, and Pastor David Munro will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care, 4755 Ogletown-Stanton Rd., Newark, DE 19718.

To sign the online guestbook, please click on the tab marked "Sign and View Guestbook".

Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.