Elizabeth Joan Rothel

Elizabeth (Joan) Rothel, loving wife of James (Jim) Rothel passed away on December 14, 2024, at Christ Hospital surrounded by family members. Joan was born in Belleville, Ontario, Canada, on June 1, 1945, to Bert and Eileen Stiver (both deceased).

Joan and Jim had two children: John W. (Jack) Rothel (wife, Marsha) and Jennifer L. Rothel Sloan (husband, Doug); 8 grandchildren: Lauren (Brendan), Patrick (Duke), Brandon (Mallory), Nicholas, Rachel (Alex), Hannah, Mia, and Adam; and 7 great-grandchildren (with the 8th due in April, 2025). Joan had two sisters, Elaine Kudela (deceased), and Carol Stiver residing in NH, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joan's family was sponsored to immigrate to Ohio when Joan was 5 years old, and she became a naturalized US citizen in 1958. Eventually, her family moved to Norwalk, Ohio. She attended Norwalk High School, where she met Jim. They became high school sweethearts and were married in 1964. During their married life they lived in Cleveland, OH, Lafayette, IN, Glen Ellyn, IL, and Cincinnati, OH.

Joan was an accomplished watercolor artist, and she was well-known in the tristate area. Her preferred medium was watercolor done in a realistic style portraying landscapes, florals, still lifes, and seascapes. For many years, she displayed her artwork at several local art shows including the Montgomery Kiwanis Art Show, Wyoming Art Show, Summerfair, and Hyde Park Art Show. She won many awards at these shows. Joan's family cherishes numerous art pieces she has created, and many also rest on the walls of homes across the country.

Her collection of antique dolls and toys gave her great pleasure, and many items were the subject matter for an extensive series of still life paintings. Many paintings won prizes in local and national shows and won her signature membership in the American Watercolor Society (NYC) (the "World Series" of watercolor painting). She was a signature member of the National Watercolor Society (CA), Ohio Watercolor Society, Kentucky Watercolor Society, Cincinnati Art Club, and a member of the Women's Art Club. Her paintings included collections at companies such as Dinsmore & Shohl, Cincinnati Bell, Northern Kentucky University, and US Shoe.

For more than 25 years, she and five artist friends spent two weeks each summer on different coastal locations in Maine painting landscapes and seascapes. She and Jim enjoyed vacationing in Winter Harbor, ME, painting, fishing and visiting with friends. Eating lobsters while on vacation in Maine was always a highlight of her trips.

Joan loved to "make things". She built and furnished a detailed three-story dollhouse with electric lights, handmade furniture, and even miniature copies of some of her paintings. She took a class on basket making, and after making several full-size baskets, she adapted the skills she had learned to make many exquisite miniature baskets. Joan enjoyed sewing and knitting, making many baby blankets, afghan blankets, sweaters, and hats as gifts to family and friends. She was always an avid reader and liked doing jigsaw puzzles. Joan enjoyed exploring local antique stores, second hand stores, and sometimes a casino in Las Vegas or around Cincinnati.

Joan was a loving wife, sister, mother and grandmother. She had many close friends through art, book clubs, neighborhoods, and other hobbies. She will be missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org) or to the local charity "Giving Voice Foundation" (www.givingvoicefdn.org). A Celebration of Joan's Life will be on Saturday, January 4th, 2025 at Anderson Hills Church (7515 Forest Road, Cincinnati OH 45255). The service will begin at 1 pm with a family greeting reception afterwards. Casual attire.