Priscilla (Pat) Joseph
September 29, 1926 - October 18, 2025

PRISCILLA (PAT) JOSEPH (1926-2025): We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved mother, Priscilla (Pat) Joseph, passed away on October 18, 2025. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 29, 1926, to Dorothy (Lieberman) Gersmann and Silas Gersmann, who were immigrant refugees from Russia and Romania.

Pat grew up in the Highland Park neighborhood of Pittsburgh, attended Taylor Allderdice High School, and graduated from Peabody High School. She went on to earn her degree in Mathematics and Education from the Pennsylvania College for Women (now Chatham University).

She met the love of her life, Herbert Joseph, when she was just 15. A year later, he enlisted in the Army and served in Germany during World War II, fighting the Nazis. After the war, he remained there as an MP at a former concentration camp that had become a Displaced Persons Camp, where he searched in vain for missing family members. Throughout those three long years, Pat wrote to him every single day.

When Herbert was discharged, he returned to Pittsburgh, and the two were married six weeks later. They soon welcomed their children-Randy and Judy. Pat devoted herself to raising her family while teaching middle school math part-time and tutoring privately.

After her children were grown, Pat worked in curriculum development and as newsletter editor for a women's shelter supporting survivors of domestic violence. Later, she joined a Braille translation group at Rodef Shalom Synagogue, where she became certified by the Library of Congress in both literary and mathematical Braille. She went on to produce Braille textbooks, fiction, and even knitting and crochet patterns.

Pat's guiding values were peace and justice. She marched in Harrisburg for women's reproductive rights and civil rights, volunteered with organizations supporting people with mental health challenges, and contributed to The Promise, which helps provide college tuition for students from low-income families. One of our earliest memories is of her firmly asking a book club member to leave our home after they tried to recruit for the John Birch Society-she never wavered in her convictions.

She instilled in us an early love of the arts-taking us to the theater, symphony, and museums. Whenever she could, she attended the Pittsburgh Opera, Symphony, and Public Theatre, and loved visiting the Carnegie Art Museum and The Frick.

A lifelong and voracious reader, crossword enthusiast, and devoted knitter and crocheter, she leaves behind many heirloom blankets-warm reminders of her creativity and love.

Above all, Pat was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother-known affectionately by all as G.G. She often said that raising her two wonderful children was her greatest accomplishment.

She was bold, vibrant, compassionate, a little bossy, and very beautiful. Truly, a life well lived.

Survived by her daughters Randy Joseph (Michael Crouch) and Judy Joseph - granddaughters Julia Crouch (Sarah Weigle) and Deva Hetrick (Evan Hetrick) and 4 great grandchildren Maya, Sage. Joy & Brooklyn as well as loving cousins, nieces & nephews and many friends. Services and Interment were private. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. www.schugar.com

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