Joan Linda Witorsch

1950 - 2024

Joan Linda Witorsch (nee Pellman) died peacefully on February 19, 2024, at her home in Delray Beach, Florida. The daughter of Harold and Gladys Pellman, Joan grew up in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York, graduating from Jamaica High School. Joan had a sister, Lois, who passed away in her early 20s. Joan married her high school sweetheart, Philip Witorsch in 1958. Early in their marriage she would work as a secretary at RCA Records in New York City, supporting them as Phil worked his way through medical school. They moved to the Washington, DC suburbs of Maryland in 1963 where she had her daughter, Beth, and then her son, Jeffrey, a few years later. As they grew up, she would spend her time as a docent for the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, and as president of the DC chapter of B'nai Brith Women, and the president of the PTA of her children's school. She and Phil spent a number of years heavily involved in the local Marriage Encounters group, where they made many lifelong friends. She also worked for a number of years as an Administrative Assistant for Phil's medical consulting business. Joan and Phil were blessed to be able to travel extensively around the world, including many European countries, Japan, Thailand, Australia, throughout the Caribbean, and across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Joan loved the Delaware beaches, and spent many summers at Sea Colony, often joined by family and friends. Joan was actively involved in her children's and grandchildren’s lives as they grew up, and always championed and encouraged their pursuits. She was a capable artist, sketching in particular, though she never pursued the craft. She enjoyed scrapbooking in her early senior years and she deeply admired the art of others, creating an extensive art collection which decorated her homes. Even as age slowed her other pursuits, Joan was an avid reader her entire life, especially of mysteries and historical fiction. Joan is survived by Dr. Philip Witorsch, her husband of 66 years, her son Jeffrey Witorsch, her daughter Beth (Witorsch) Poss, her grandchildren, Madeline (Poss) Domino, Morgan Poss and Joshua Witorsch, and her brand new grandson, Charles (Tripp) Michael Domino III.

A celebration of Joan's life will be held on Friday March 1, 2024 at 12:30 pm at The Garden of Remembrance Cemetery on Comus Road in Clarksburg, Maryland. Family and friends are invited to join together in remembrance and celebration of a life well-lived. Please also join the family for shiva after the funeral and on Saturday, March 2nd at the home of Beth and Stephen Poss between the hours of 11 am and 6 pm.

Donations in Joan's honor:

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to B’nai Brith an organization that Joan was involved in for many years. Your contribution will honor her legacy of commitment to the ideals of Judaism and community service. https://www.bnaibrith.org/#