Joan Bruder Roney

Joan Constance Bruder Roney, 82, of Traverse City, died peacefully on Monday, April 8, 2013 at the Grand Traverse Pavilions, surrounded by her loving family. Joan was born on March 1, 1931, to the late Herbert J. and Marion (Belz) Bruder, in Philadelphia, PA. Joan grew up in the Philadelphia area and attended Merion-Mercy Academy in Merion Station and Gwynedd-Mercy College in Gwynedd Valley, PA. As a child, Joan loved visiting the Jersey shore every summer, with her family, where she developed a strong love for the ocean, swimming and all that “life at the shore” had to offer. On November 26, 1955, Joan married the love of her life, John James “Jack” Roney, Jr., in Philadelphia, PA., who preceded her in death, in 1996. Joan was also preceded in death by her parents, brothers Herbert and Robert Bruder, one sister, Patricia Bruder Penrose, as well as a daughter, Pamela Marie Roney, Joan and Jack lived a full and wonderful life, having settled in Traverse City in 1973, from the Detroit area. They bought a house on Long Lake, and found great happiness there. Joan lived in her cherished family home for 40 years, on Long Lake, where she enjoyed swimming and boating on the lake – and lovingly welcomed family and extended family and friends, home to her house, for holidays, summer vacations or a BBQ on the deck. Joan was employed at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center Pool, where she retired 5 times, teaching swimming to both the young and old alike. Swimming was her passion, and she dearly loved her Civic Center Pool family of co-workers and students. Joan was a strong woman of faith and was one of the founding members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, in Traverse City. Surviving, are Joan’s 6 children, Karen (Craig) Ardery, Donna (Kerry) Kaysserian, John Roney, Vicki (Bill) Slater, Chris (Neil) Goodman and Stacy (Doug) Benson; 8 grandchildren, Melissa, Mallory, Kevin, Danielle, Drew, Ethan, Hailey, Kristoffer and several nieces and nephews. Joan also leaves behind many close friends from both the Civic Center Pool, and her beloved Long Lake neighborhood. Visitation will be held at St. Patrick’s Church on Friday, April 12, 2013 from 5 – 7 pm., with a rosary at 7pm. A funeral mass will be offered on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, at 11:00 am, with Rev. Gregory McCallum serving as the celebrant. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will be offered, following the funeral mass, for friends and family, at the church. Burial with graveside services will follow at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens, at 2 pm. Memorial contributions should be made to either the Father Fred Foundation or St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Envelopes will be available at the service. The family welcomes memories and messages in their on-line guest book – www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . Arrangements are pending with the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Joan Bruder Roney

March 1, 1931 - April 8, 2013