Joni C Pechuekonis

To the women I love with all my heart, I your husband will always remember the first day we met. You are still just as beautiful, interesting, and fun to be around. In our relationship with our Lord Jesus, life was complete and happy. You are an incredible Wife, Mother, Fellow Servant, and Companion. I am so blessed to have shared 23 years in such a wonderful marriage with my beloved. You made a difference in this world with your humble and positive manner. On the evening of November 3, 2015, my Joni went to be with her Lord Jesus Christ after a 3.5 year battle with Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA); she also was a Stage III breast cancer survivor. She had her beloved daughter Alice, son Erik, husband Christian, and family friend Jenny Basile at her side for her final moments. She faithfully served our Lord as a Bible teacher, AWANA Director, Prayer warrior, and solo church singer. She was a long time active member of First Baptist Church. Her Christian faith was deep and inspiring. Her physical suffering was difficult to make sense of, but she clung to God. She refused to let the devil take her joy away. “As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil.” Genesis 50:20 Joni began life in Agana, Guam as a Navy brat – youngest daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Proctor. She lived in Virginia, New York, Rhode Island, Northern California, Hawaii, and finally settled in Poway, California when her Dad retired. In organized sports, she was an avid member of crew and a serious soccer player. She graduated from Poway High School, San Diego State University (BA in Physical Education), and Washtenaw Community College (AA in Radiography). In her adult life, she lived in Poway, California, Ann Arbor, Michigan and finally, Charlottesville, Virginia. Joni’s last career position was as a Radiographer at the University of Virginia Medical Center from where she retired with a medical disability due to her disease. She loved UVA and her co-workers. Joni is predeceased by her father Charles, survived by her loving husband Christian Pechuekonis, children Brian Roberts of Charlottesville, VA, Alice Trickey (Michael), and grandbabies Elijah and Vivian of Ft. Worth, TX, mother Elizabeth of Charlottesville, VA, sister Gail Bouton of Burke, VA, and step-son Erik Pechuekonis of Charlottesville, VA. She also is survived by her cousins from her Mom’s side – Edie and Dena Picken, and cousins from her Dad’s side Sandy Thomas, Kathy Spranger, Pattie Meyers, and Lynda Hall. The family would like to thank the following caregivers: UVA Health System; Dr Binit Shah of Neurology, Dr Silvestre of Palliative Care, Dr Goldstein of Pain Management, and their wonderful staffs. UVA-HealthSouth; Dr Alfano. Legacy Hospice; Nancy Muir and her nurse, Linnea. Her Celebration Service is Saturday, November 14, at 10:00 at First Baptist Church, 735 Park Street, Charlottesville, VA. All are welcome. Immediately following the Service, the family will receive friends in the FBC Fellowship Hall. At 1:00, the family will intern Joni’s ashes at Monticello Memorial Gardens. Joni passionately supported World Vision her entire adult life– a Christian ministry that builds a better world for children. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to this charity. http://donate.worldvision.org/giftregistry/view/index/id/563de90129bf7/