Joan Kay Grafton

Joan Kay Grafton, 80, formerly of Schenley, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2024, surrounded by her family.

Born September 8, 1943, in Manor Township, she was a daughter of the late Edward Wayne and Anna (Burdett) Reitler.

Employed by the U.S. Postal Service, Kay was a mail carrier for RD1, Leechburg, for 22 years.  She was a Sunday school teacher and youth leader for the Franklin Avenue Church of God in Vandergrift. Kay had a kind heart and was one of the most giving people one could know, once literally giving the coat off her back to a stranger in need.

Kay was a gifted cake artist and was known for her pies (which had the flakiest crust) and wonderful bread.  She was a multi-talented seamstress., specializing in formal dresses and soft-sculpture dolls. Kay adored manatees and even sponsored one in Homosassa Springs, FL.

She is survived by her husband, Stanley H. Grafton; her daughter, Anissa Kay (Vincent) Burns of Harrisburg; two grandchildren: Tyler Vinson (Muranda) Burns, and Emily Anne Burns (Dennis Chism); one great-grandson, Owen Stanley Burns; and sisters: Judy Aites of Mansfield, OH, Nancy Crihfield of Uneeda, WV, Cheryl McGinnis of Kittanning, Connie Connor of Clarion, Monessa Murano of Penn Hills, Debra Reitler of Rimersburg, and Dolly Bowser of Rimersburg.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Louise Coon and Bonnie Akers, and three brothers: Henry, Edward, and Timothy Reitler.

Friends will be welcomed from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, and from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, at Welch Funeral Service, LLC, 1032 Fourth Ave., Ford City.  Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home, with Pastor Lee Rupert officiating.  Interment will follow in Ford City Cemetery.  To share memories or condolences, please visit www.welchfh.com. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to The Children's Heart Foundation (childrensheartfoundation.org), in honor of her great-grandson, Owen.

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