Joan C. Pettit

Joan Claire Pettit, 92, mother of three boys and grandmother of four, passed away February 14, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. She was born in St. Paul, Minnesota December 7, 1934, of Martin Bredow and Dorthea Rosenthal Bredow. September 1, 1957, she married John (Jack) Pettit in Clinton, Iowa. Our father died in 2021; they had been married for over sixty years. Joan was a registered nurse receiving her education from Coe College: School of Nursing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In Columbus, she worked at ST. Ann’s Hospital and Mt Carmel West Hospital.

The most admirable thing about our mom is her fierce loyalty and commitment to her friends. She and my dad had a core group of friends in Columbus. Larry and Abby, Bob and Jane, adding Jim and Ellen, Ed and Beth, and Susan. Likewise, for decades our mom spoke with her sister, Jean, every evening around 7 PM.

Our mom is survived by her son Daniel, his wife Linda and their daughter Rachel: her son Joel and his wife Christina: and her son Michael, his wife Lori and their children Brian and his wife Jordyn, Hayley, and Sean: and Joan’s sister Jean and her husband Gary.

Mom delighted in things such as time spent with people and spoke of them as delightful. Linda has recognized that I use that word often; I have heard Rachel use “delightful” as well─ what a great treasure and legacy. You may have seen a small plaque in their bathroom that contains the poem.

Overheard in an Orchard

By Elizabeth Cheney

Said the Robin to the Sparrow:

"I should really like to know

Why these anxious human beings

Rush about and worry so."

Said the Sparrow to the Robin:

"Friend, I think that it must be

That they have no Heavenly Father,

Such as cares for you and me."

There will be a small family gathering on February 17 and then in the spring we will celebrate mom and dad by spreading their ashes together.

Mom loved the outdoors and wildlife rehab centers; if you wish to donate in her memory, gifts may be given to the Ohio Wildlife Center. https://ohiowildlifecenter.org.