- Date Of Birth: February 23, 1943
- Date Of Death: August 1, 2021
- State: Maryland
Joan Bernardine Beasley Gibala, a longtime Beltsville resident, passed away peacefully at her home on August 1, 2021, just a few weeks after learning of a cancer diagnosis.
Born in 1943, Joan was raised in Washington, D.C. She graduated from Anacostia High School and completed higher education at Keene State College in Keene, NH, where she spent summers with her beloved grandparents. In winter months, automobile ice racing was a favorite pastime. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
Joan met her future husband at Bolling Air Force Base where he was stationed. After he was transferred to Okinawa, Japan, just a couple months after marrying, Joan joined him, pregnant with their daughter, Susan. Upon returning to the United States, they established residence in Beltsville, where she remained in her forever home, fondly referring to her community as “Old Beltsville.”
Joan was extremely active in and committed to the Parent Teacher Organization of Chestnut Hills Elementary School earning Volunteer of the Year in 1973. She fully supported her daughter’s interests with the Beltsville majorettes, Brownies and Girl Scouts and High Point High School Band.
Joan’s Catholic faith was extremely important to her attending St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church. She has served in their food pantry and assisted at the Christmas Bazaar..
Joan Gibala is predeceased by her parents, Agnes and Francis Beasley, as well as her sister, Linda Zervas. She leaves behind her loving daughter, Susan D. Gibala of Haymarket, VA and her beloved grandson, Evan C. Gibala of Lexington, KY.
