Joan "Joanie" Sterling Applegate, age 81, passed away on February 5, 2025, in Strongsville, Ohio. She was born October 9, 1943, in Mount Holly, New Jersey, married in 1963, and raised two sons in Berea, Ohio. Following a diverse career in retail and management, Joan graduated from Baldwin Wallace University (cum laude 1993) and began teaching elementary school. She retired after educating countless wonderful students at Cleveland Metro Catholic School.

Joan is survived by her son: Brandon Applegate, two grandchildren: Hayden Applegate and Alia Applegate, daughter-in-law: Dawn (Tuckerman) Applegate, two sisters: Georgiana Mynatt and Faith Perkins, two brothers: Paul Sterling and Steven Sterling, one ex-husband: Thomas Applegate, and many loving friends

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son Jeffrey Applegate.

A ceremony celebrating Joan's life is planned for summer 2025 to be held at Coe Lake, Berea, Ohio. Anyone who would like to receive details as they become available can submit their contact information at this link: https://redcap.link/Joan-celebration

For those wishing to honor Joan's memory, the family suggests a donation to the Cleveland Zoological Society to support wildlife conservation (https://www.clevelandzoosociety.org/support-us/fundraising-campaigns/conservation/donate).