Joan Knechtly

Joan Loraine Knechtly (nee Rehling), age 72, joined the alto section of the heavenly choir on February 14, 2022, after a year of surgeries and illness. Born on June 25, 1949, Joan was the oldest daughter of the late Bill and Charlotte Rehling, beloved wife of Louis Knechtly for 46 years, devoted mother of Katie and the late Michael Knechtly, and cherished grandmother of Timothy, Myla, Michael, Joshua, and Alex, great-grandmother of Jezelle and Taydem. She leaves behind three sisters who were always ready to break into song with her, Janet (Gregory) Buening, Julie (Matthew) Papania, and Jeanne (Greg Badger) Rehling Golliher, also a nephew, nieces, and great-nieces.

Music was her joy! Joan loved singing, learned ukulele from her grandmother, and taught herself to play guitar, piano, and dulcimer. She was a long-term member of both the choir and the contemporary music group at St. Margaret of Cortona Church and also played for Masses at Christ the King parish as well as countless funerals and weddings all over town. She sang with the E-Case Choir and was thrilled to take part in the 2012 World Choir Games with them. After learning to play handbells at a family camp at Kenyon College, Joan raised funds to buy a set of bells and served as the director of St. Margaret of Cortona’s bell choir. She was a loyal supporter of the Cincinnati Pops Concerts and the Queen City Balladeers, and equally passionate about attending the annual Great American Dulcimer Convention in Pineville, Kentucky.

As a little girl Joan delighted in playing school – and after earning her education degree at Edgecliff College she taught at St. Margaret of Cortona School for over 40 years, doing cool science experiments and creative art projects, imparting loving kindness and genuine concern for her students along with math facts and writing skills.

Joan joined Cincinnati Catholic Women in 1975 and was chair of its Choral Group for many years. She volunteered in many capacities at St. Margaret of Cortona. She loved travel, whether it was a trip to Europe, Alaska, the Southwest, or New York City or another visit to Carter Caves, a fall festival in some small town, or a tour of Kentucky’s waterfalls. She was an avid reader and in retirement finally had time to join a book club.

Named by her mother after Joan of Arc, Joan in her own quiet way was as fierce as her patron saint in her dedication to her Catholic faith and her devotion to her family. She fought bravely in the last years of her life to overcome many challenges, including the loss of her son and her serious health issues, but never lost her faith in God, her hope for better days to come, her sweet giving nature, or her limitless support for the people she loved.

In honor of Joan’s teaching career or her gratitude for her kidney transplant, please consider making a donation to CISE, https://cisekids.org , or the American Kidney Fund, https://www.kidneyfund.org And in her memory, sing a song or three today and do something kind.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Margaret-St John Church on Friday, February 25th at 10 am. Friends may visit at T.P. White & Sons Funeral Home, 2050 Beechmont Ave., Mt. Washington, on Thursday from 6 to 8 pm.