Joanne Hollinger

Joanne Hollinger

April 23, 2024 - September 15, 2012

Joanne Hollinger, of Pittsburgh, died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, of cancer. She was born March 19, 1942, daughter of the late James and Mariann. She is survived by a sister, Margaret Sporrer; and brother, Charles Hollinger; and was preceded in death by a sister, Marlene Deverts. Joanne had a passion for life and was a significant influence in the lives of the people she touched. JoanneQQQs best known persona was that of “Petunia” the clown. Joanne studied clowning with the “Bell Telephone Pioneer Clowns” and was a volunteer clown for more than 25 years. She clowned at the White HouseQQQs annual Easter Egg Roll on the lawn under President George W. Bush Sr. She frequently cloowned for the ChildrenQQQs Hospital as well as many other local charities. She never turned down an opportunity to clown, especially when it involved clowning for children. JoanneQQQs greatest passion however, was honoring our veterans. She loved clowning at the annual “VeteransQQQ Boat Ride” and with “Rolling Thunder” to honor our veterans. Every time she would meet a veteran, she would always thank them for their service. She loved our vets. She also loved her nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. She kept up with their lives and would tell stories about all of them and them about her. Joanne had nine nieces and nephews, 27 great-nieces and nephews, and two godsons, both very special to her. Joanne also loved dogs, but more than dogs, she loved the people who loved dogs. She visited Riverview dog park every evening with her “beast”, Sir Walter, and formed some of the most enduring and meaningful friendships of her life with her “dog park friends”. She always said, “thereQQQs no people like dog people”. Joanne loved the Latin Rite at St. Boniface Church and spoke so lovingly of the friends she met there and of Father Myers whom she admired and loved. Joanne was cherished and loved by so many people, people of all ages, races and backgrounds. She reached out to everyone and gave kindness, love and sound advice to all she met. She will be missed by so many, and so many are grateful for having had her in their lives. During her time of illness, she couldnQQQt believe how many people came to her aid and comfort. Family, extended family, friends, neighbors and former colleagues, all trying to pay Joanne back for what she had given them. She thanks you all for your love and kindness. A very special memorial service is being planned for Joanne to take place in the near future. Arrangements by T.B. DEVLIN FUNERAL HOME.