OBITUARY: Joan Ellen (Erzen) Conte, 89, of Conway, peacefully passed away on December 30, 2023.

Joan was a devoted lifelong member of Our Lady of Peace and helped in the establishment of the Parish. Joan served the parish in many roles including playing the organ for daily mass as a teenager, CCD teacher, lector, worship committee member, Christian Mothers Member, and acting president. Joan loved traveling, Broadway musicals, gardening and landscaping, interior decorating, fine dining and cooking and baking for her family and friends.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 59 years, John Alan Conte and her first grandchild Thomas Taverna. Surviving are sons Joseph Conte of Conway, John Conte Jr. of Sewickley; daughters, Cyndy Kahele of Baden, Cheryl Jamis, Alane Scheider and Maureen Conte of Conway; five grandchildren Nicole and John Kahele, Zachary, Aaron and Leah Scheider.

A memorial visitation will be held Monday from 10:30 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM at Good Samaritan Catholic Church, 725 Glenwood Ave, Ambridge, Pa 15003. Arrangements were handled by the CORLESS-MATTER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, LLC 1133 Church Street, Ambridge.

HUSBAND'S OBITUARY: John A. Conte, Esq., 86, of Conway, passed peacefully on Sunday, May 25, 2014. - Born Sept. 19, 1927, in San Marco, Italy, he was a son of the late Giuseppe and Rosina Maria Colagrossi Conte. A U.S. Navy veteran, having served as a Yeoman in World War II, he was a founding member and active parishioner of Our Lady of Peace Parish. - Having immigrated from Italy at age 7 and not even speaking English, he rose to become a prominent Beaver County Attorney with a private legal practice in Conway for nearly 50 years. Early in his career, his successful work in murder trials led to his being consulted by Melvin Belli, the defense attorney of Jack Ruby for killing Lee Harvey Oswald. Atty. Conte was a pioneer in medical malpractice, winning in 1984 the largest verdict that had been obtained in 19 years within Beaver County. Recognized as a 60 year member of the Beaver County Bar Assoc., he also served as their past president and member of the Board of Governors. - He was preceded in death by his grandson, Thomas J. Taverna and his brother, Anthony A. Conte. - Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Joan Ellen Erzen Conte; six children, Cheryl (Gary) Jamis, Cynthia 'Cinders' Kahele, Joseph Conte, Alane (David) Scheider, Maureen Conte and John (Deanna) Conte, Jr.; five grandchildren, Nicole (Veronica), John 'Bubs,' Zachary, Aaron and Leah; a sister-in-law, Josephine Conte, and two nephews, David (Allison) and Darrel (Sharon) Conte and their families. - Family and friends will be received today 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday 1 to 6 p.m. in the POLAND FUNERAL HOME INC., 901 First Ave., Conway, where Prayers will begin Saturday at 10:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Conway. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Freedom. - Members of the Beaver County Special Unit will meet at the cemetery at 12:15 p.m. to provide full military honors. - In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association or the Beaver County Humane Society.