Joan Cooper Nastro

Joan Cooper Nastro passed away peacefully on October 24, 2025 at the age of 87. Joan and her twin sister, Janet, were born on July 9, 1938 in Phoenix, Arizona to Verna and Newton Cooper, who were proud to have the first twins in the family.

Since the family business was cotton farming, her hometown was Casa Grande, AZ. She graduated as valedictorian from Casa Grande Union High School and then Joan pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition. Her collegiate activities included Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and Phi Beta Phi honor society. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arizona in 1960.

After completing an internship at the University of California, Berkeley, Joan worked as a dietician at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City where she met her former husband, Daniel Nastro. In 1965, they moved to Phoenix to start a family. She balanced homemaking with community involvement, serving as president of the Junior League of Phoenix, co-founder and president of the Crisis Nursery (now Child Crisis Arizona), and board member of the Arizona Community Foundation. For 13 years, she worked for the Arizona Unit of Recording for the Blind, until she retired as Executive Director in 1996.

Joan was an active member of Valley Presbyterian Church and served as Deacon, Elder, Trustee of the VPC Foundation, as well as a Stephen’s Minister. She enjoyed the interaction and fellowship of her church Bible Study groups. Her cooking abilities were evident when she often helped prepare and serve meals for the homeless.

She was also an avid bridge player and played in several groups regularly. She loved to entertain family and friends, particularly summer get-togethers at the family cabin in Pinetop. Everyone enjoyed her cooking: her mouth-watering cobblers, biscuits, lasagna, tuna salad, fried chicken, banana bread and lemon meringue pie were legendary.

Joan is survived by 2 sisters: Janet Metzger & Patty O’Steen, 4 children: Diane, Deborah, twins Rich & Ron Nastro, 3 grandchildren: Monique Lozoya, twins Romain & Luc Idee, and 2 great-grandchildren: Selah & Shiloh Lozoya. She will be remembered as a treasured sister, kind aunt, beloved Mom, devoted Grammy and trusted friend. The joy of her company, her wit & intelligence, plus her lively conversations to share her ideas and insights will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Visitation will be 4-6 PM on Nov. 7 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road. A Memorial Service will be held at Valley Presbyterian Church on Nov. 8 at 1 PM, 6947 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joan’s memory may be directed to Hospice of the Valley or to the Valley Presbyterian Church Foundation.