Joan M. “Ma” Bly, 88, of Perry Twp., Armstrong County, passed peacefully into eternal life on Saturday evening, May 16th, 2026 at Quality Life Services Sugarcreek while in the company of her husband and family.
Joan was born in Pittsburgh’s south side on May 24, 1937. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mildred Duvall Platz. Joan moved to the East Brady area as a young girl, and attended East Brady High School.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Roland Bly, whom she married on June 22, 1953. Together, they raised eight boys, and she was affectionately “Ma Bly” to her sons and their many friends she nurtured and supported over the years. After raising her sons, Joan attended Butler County Community College and earned a B.S. in Education from Clarion University, fulfilling her dream of becoming a teacher. Joan taught kindergarten at Bruin Elementary School for many years, and taught adult community education classes, touching many lives in throughout the community. Joan was a longtime member and officer of the Ladies Auxiliary to Brady’s Bend American Legion Post #488.
She enjoyed traveling, most especially with her husband and family to their cherished camp along Lake Erie. She was a skilled quilter, enjoyed sewing and crafting, and shared a deep and profound faith in the Lord.
Joan is survived by her husband of 72 years, Roland Bly; her sons, Joe Bly and his wife, Deb, Bruce Bly and his wife, Dianne, Bryan Bly and his wife, Susan, Jeff Bly and his wife, Amy, Steve Bly and his wife, Lori, Mike Bly, and Greg Bly and his wife, Amber; a daughter-in-law, Brenda Bly; a sister, Shirley Loose and her husband, Bob; and two brothers-in-law, Leonard and William Bly. She was affectionately “Ma” to her 21 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren all of whom she adored. Also surviving are a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, David Bly, a sister, Lois Robinson, a granddaughter, Jennifer, and two great-grandchildren, Elizabeth and Johnny.
Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Karns City, 128 Main Street, Karns City, from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicora with the Rev. Paul DeBacco, pastor of the Criswell Bible Baptist Church, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh by visiting chp.edu/about/donate