Joan Sabatino

Reverend Joan M. Sabatino (“Rev. Joan”), age 72, passed away on October 17, 2024 surrounded by her beloved family. Rev. Joan was born on March 12, 1952, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to John and Rosemary Sabatino.

Rev. Joan dedicated her life to empowering people, normalizing diversity and acceptance, and advocating for equality. She spent the earlier part of her life as a religious educator, serving as the director of religious education for the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County. It was during this time that Rev. Joan identified her desire to share her faith and went on to pursue a degree in theology. She graduated from Howard University, a school of divinity, with a Master of Divinity for Ministers, and was ordained in 2001. Rev. Joan spent the next chapter of her life serving as the minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Indiana, Pennsylvania, where she had a profound impact to the fellowship as well as the Indiana community by being a consistent legitimate voice for liberal religion in a small, western conservative Pennsylvania town. Rev. Joan retired from ministry in 2019, after which she moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to be closer to her family, and to pursue her passion for social justice. Rev. Joan was appointed Director of UUJusticePA, the Unitarian Universalist statewide advocacy organization of Pennsylvania, where she lobbied the PA General Assembly for legislation which reflects social justice and equality for all.

Rev. Joan is survived by her loving daughters, Jessica Sabatino and Johnna Ruse-Finver; her stepdaughter, Erin Ruse; her daughters-in-law, Lori Sabatino and Aleza Ruse-Finver; and her son-in-law, Bill Moir. She was a proud grandmother to Robbie Moir, Aida Sabatino, Aliyah Ruse-Finver, and Elijah Ruse-Finver. Rev. Joan is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Lisa and Tony Merlino, and her brother and sister-in-law, Craig and Karen Sabatino; her nieces & nephews, Tori Sabatino, Nicole Sabatino, Clay Winkelvoss, Remi Winkelvoss, Carrie and Michael Slater, Jack and Charlie Slater, and Lauren, Hudson and Harlow Russell.

She was predeceased by her parents, John and Rosemary Sabatino, and her husband, Russell J. Smith.

Rev. Joan's legacy of compassion, education, and service will be remembered and cherished by all who knew her. Her impact extended far beyond her family, friends, and congregation, touching the hearts of everyone she met. Her teachings and actions inspired many to pursue lives of authenticity, kindness, understanding, and activism.

A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County on January 4, 2025 at 2:00pm, with a celebration of life to immediately follow. At a later date, a private burial will be at the Memorial Garden of the First Unitarian Fellowship of Indiana, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to UUJusticePA, Donate at https://uujusticepa.org/join-donate/ or to a charity of your choice, in memory of Joan's lifelong dedication to making the world a more just and loving place. Rev. Joan's spirit will live on in the countless lives she touched and the inspiration she provided to all who knew her.