Joan L. Montella, customer relations specialist

Joan L. Montella, 83, of Bethany Beach, passed away Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. She was born Sept. 20, 1930, in Philadelphia, Pa., daughter of the late Michael and Matilda Procito.

Mrs. Montella was a customer relations specialist for many years with Matlack Corporation in Lansdowne, Pa. Continuing her love for interacting with people, she enjoyed a 20-year career with Strawbridge's King of Prussia store in sales until retiring in 1995. After retiring she and her husband Nicholas relocated to Bethany Beach where she spent leisure time swimming and being on the beach. She loved traveling and especially cruising with her husband and friends.

Mrs. Montella was an active parishioner and member of the Sodality Group at St. Anne Catholic Church in Bethany Beach. She was an excellent cook who loved preparing feasts for family and friends. Mrs. Montella was a woman who loved life. She loved meeting new people and instantly became friends with all she met. Mrs. Montella always made people feel as though she had known them for a life time. Her zest for life and love for people will be missed by many.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Montella was preceded in death by three brothers: Raymond, Samuel, Albert; and three sisters: Rose, Margaret and Viola. She is survived by her loving husband of 46 years, Nicholas; three nephews, Steven, Chris and Art; two nieces, Mary and Carol; and one sister; Anna Francheski of Sharon Hill, Pa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, Jan. 30, at 11 a.m.,at St. Ann Catholic Church, 691 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Friends may also call from 6  to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 29, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Clarksville Chapel, 34874 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View. Interment will follow the Mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Dagsboro. Flowers are welcomed.