Betty “Joan” Petrak Obituary

Betty "Joan" Petrak (née Justice) passed away peacefully on January 7, 2025, in Glen Mills, PA. Born August 5, 1936, in Paragould, AR, she was the daughter of Hayward C. and Margaret (née Dodson) Justice.

Joan brought warmth and creativity to everything she did throughout her life. After graduating from Miss Hickey's School for Secretaries in St. Louis, MO, she embarked on a fulfilling career path that led her to the FBI in Washington, DC, and later to DuPont in Wilmington, DE. Following time devoted to raising her family as a stay-at-home mom, she returned to her professional life as an Executive Assistant at the DuPont Experimental Station in Wilmington, DE.

Faith and community were central to Joan's life. She was an active and cherished member of several church communities, including Zion's Hill United Methodist Church in Wilton, CT, Skyline Church in Wilmington, DE, and Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester, PA. Her passion for the arts found expression through her service as an usher at theaters in Philadelphia and Wilmington, and her performances with the Maris Grove Players, where she also shared her beautiful voice in the choir.

Joan embraced life's adventures, traveling both domestically and internationally with her late husband, Dan, and later with dear friends from her time living in Connecticut, Hockessin, DE and Maris Grove. She found joy in creative pursuits, from cooking and crafting to making costumes, and treasured time spent playing cards and billiards with friends and family.

She is survived by her daughters Laura Woolley Lund of Daytona Beach, FL, and Kathleen Woolley Gurnee (Rob) of Chadds Ford, PA; her grandchildren Sharon Lund, Jenni Blanco (Andrew), Wes Gurnee, and Michael Gurnee; her great-grandchildren Denise, Abby, Dylan, Cayden, and Noah; and her former husband, Richard Woolley of Lewes, DE. She was predeceased by her husband, Daniel Petrak.

Relatives and friends are invited for visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 27, 2025, at the Maris Grove Chapel, 200 Maris Grove Way, Glen Mills, PA 19342, followed by her service at 11:00 a.m. After the service, all are welcome to celebrate Joan at a luncheon at Maris Grove.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Maris Grove Staff Appreciation Fund, 200 Maris Grove Way
Glen Mills, PA 19342 or the American Red Cross.