"Happiness is not a goal...it's a by-product of a life well lived." - Eleanor Roosevelt

On February 6, 2016 the well-lived life of (Ruby) Joan McQuiston Zurasky came to a peaceful conclusion.

Joan was born in New Castle on September 10, 1930, to Howard and Mildred Ruby McQuiston. Her childhood laid a foundation for the 85 year life story. As a child, Joan loved to read and spend time with her family and neighborhood friends.

After graduating from New Castle High School in 1948, she began work at the Bell Telephone Company. Shortly after, she met Harry Zurasky, Sr., the love of her life and husband of 63+ years who survives. In the years that follow, they moved to a farm in Shenango Township, welcomed five children into the world, and then made the magnanimous decision to adopt four more children into the family proving her limitless capacity to love.

Throughout Joan's life, she was involved in church activities, planning programs, teaching Sunday School, and singing in the church choirs to name but a few. She attended Croton United Methodist Church, continued to Savannah United Methodist Church and ended at King's Chapel United Methodist Church. Joan was an exceptional seamstress and enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She spent countless hours designing free hand original counted cross-stitch creations. The love and care she put into each creation was clearly an outward expression of the love Joan had for life and the people she met.

Other interests included storytelling, cooking for her huge family, and teaching her gang how to sing.

Survivors include a brother, James McQuiston and wife Nancy of New Castle and a sister, Patricia Diana and husband Richard of Louisville, KY. Surviving children include Joan Cooper and husband Richard of Blythewood, SC, Joyce Ober and husband Richard of Bowie, MD, Janice Hanna and husband Jerry of New Castle, Harry Zurasky, Jr. and wife Ann of Townville, PA, John Zurasky and wife Suzanne of Portland, OR, Christine Nelson and husband Richard of Columbia, SC, and Gary Zurasky of Portland, OR.

Joan adored her 19 grandchildren and her 5 great grandchildren.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents and a brother and his wife, C. William and Barbara McQuiston, a son, William Jenkins and daughter Carol Zurasky.

Joan's life will be celebrated during a Memorial Service at King's Chapel United Methodist Church on February 20, 2016. The family will welcome guests from 10:30 until the beginning of the service at noon.

Interment will take place in Parkside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to King's Chapel United Methodist Church 861 Old Pulaski Rd, New Castle, PA 16105, Lawrence County Habitat for Humanity 138 W Washington St New Castle PA 16101, or the charity of the donor's choice.