EAST LIVERPOOL – Joan Frances Hissom passed away peacefully in the presence of her children at the age of 88 and now joins her husband and many other loved ones who were waiting for her in Heaven. Joan, of Richardson Avenue in East Liverpool, died at Stone Pear Pavilion in Chester at 9:16 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016.

A daughter of the late Eugene and Edna Marsden McDermott, Joan was born in Patterson, N.J. on June 30, 1928, but was raised by her "mama", Lydia Dempsey, following the untimely death of her mother when Joan was just six months old. She came to the East Liverpool area soon after her marriage to Alfred G. "Al" Hissom on Sept. 21, 1945. Together, she and Al raised their family here and became immersed in many aspects of community life.

Al preceded her in death on Aug. 3, 1999.

Joan was a faithful steward of Christ, having served as a Eucharistic minister at Holy Trinity Parish at St. Aloysius Church, and had also served on the Chaplaincy committee at East Liverpool City Hospital. She distributed communion to the homebound, and would also play the guitar for the residents of Nentwick's Nursing Home. For years, she belonged to a folk music group, "The Love Notes", at St. Al's, and was also a part of a Bible Study fellowship there. Joan could often be seen at church suppers and other fund raising events.

Surviving are her children: Alfred "Jim" Hissom; Patricia Ann Hissom; JoAnne Garcia and her husband, Edward; Mark Hissom and his companion, Barb; and Kathleen Hissom, all of East Liverpool; and Teresa Lynn Hissom of Cranberry Township, Pa.

There are 22 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and 19 great-great-grandchildren. Joan was preceded in death by two great-grandchildren.

Also surviving is her sister, Patricia Blundo of Ramsey, N.J., and several nieces and nephews. Another sister, Dolores Ploch, and a brother, Eugene McDermott, preceded her in death.