Joan F. Tumbas

Joan F. Tumbas of Mt. Lebanon, formerly of Alexandria, VA., died peacefully October, 12, 2018 after a journey with ovarian cancer that was diagnosed on December 18, 2013. Her challenges with cancer began when her surgeon, Joseph L. Kelley, MD, operated on her January 6, 2014. Dr. Kelley, a gynecologic oncology specialist from Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, formed an instant connection with similar knowledge of the Jersey shore.
Joan's family is grateful for all the compassionate and caring staff from each of the UPMC medical facilities who treated and comforted her. Joan is especially fond of those individuals on 5800 at Magee-Womens Hospital.
Joan grew up in northern New Jersey surrounded by strong family traditions and childhood friends that will never be forgotten. She spent her summers at the shore and loved the smell of the salt air. Joan received a degree in education from Wheeling College and taught elementary education in the Alexandria City Public Schools. She had wonderful and meaningful friendships with so many teachers. Joan left the classroom after the birth of her second child and in 1993 moved permanently to Pennsylvania to be with her husband who worked with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The family remained in Mt Lebanon after her husband took the position as head athletic trainer with the Chicago Cubs in 1986. Joan's second career as a real estate agent for the Howard Hanna – Mt. Lebanon Office began in February 2001. Being an agent fit right into Joan's love for meeting new people, home furnishings and decorating. She had the best of times with the Hanna Girls.
Joan is survived by her husband of over 30 years, David G. Tumbas; and her two children Peter of Pittsburgh and Caroline and husband Burke Edwards of Greensboro, NC; also surviving are brother Peter J. Frederiksen of Brielle, NJ and Stuart, FL; brother-in-law Peter G. Tumbas and wife Kim and their daughters Sara, Emma and Eliza of Valparaiso, IN; as well as her many cousins, nieces and nephews who she dearly loved.
Friends welcome Sunday 2-4, 6-8 pm, William Slater II Funeral Service, (412-563-2800) 1650 Greentree Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15220. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, 10:00a.m. , St. Bernard Church , 311 Washington Rd. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, Attention: Joseph L. Kelley, MD, Women's Cancer Research Fund 9908, 300 Halket St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
We love our Shore Girl.