Joan (Coate) Milsom

Joan Coate Milsom
July 6, 1925 – May 13, 2026
 
Joan Coate Milsom, a celebrated artist, visionary community leader, lifelong equestrian, and devoted matriarch, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2026, at the remarkable age of 100. Born in Toledo, Ohio, Joan grew up in Butler, Pennsylvania, and spent the last 50 years as a resident of Fox Chapel, where she left an indelible mark on the region’s cultural and philanthropic landscape.
 
Family and Matriarchal Legacy

In 1951, Joan married Robert C. Milsom, with whom she shared a beautiful life, raising their three children, Christine M. Kobus (Thomas), Robert C. Milsom III (Toni), and Mark C. Milsom (Vicki) while supporting the Pittsburgh community.
 
Joan was the proud grandmother of Christy and Diana Kobus; Samantha, Robert IV, and Cody Milsom; Alexandra and the late Kiah Milsom; and bonus granddaughter, Mary Kellam. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
She was the daughter of the late Edward O. and Nell Miller, and sister of the late Betty Hauck and the late Charlotte Morrissey. 
 
A Trailblazer from the Start

Joan's leadership and vibrant energy were evident during her college years at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, where she was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Honor. Long before intercollegiate sports were widely available to women, Joan was a fiercely competitive multi-sport athlete, excelling in volleyball, swimming, diving, softball, and basketball. She served as president of the Women’s Athletic Association, was a cheerleader, sang in the Wittenberg Choir, wrote for the newspaper, and served as president of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority.
 
A Life of Art and Leadership

Joan’s lifelong passion for the arts began early. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in visual arts from Wittenberg, followed by graduate studies at the Chicago Art Academy and Carnegie Mellon University. Working primarily in oil and watercolor, as well as sculpture, Joan was an extraordinarily accomplished artist. Her work was exhibited in over 100 juried shows across the country, including the National Arts Club (New York), the Ohio Watercolor Society, the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society International, and the Westmoreland Museum Annual. She also enjoyed numerous solo exhibitions, notably at the Butler Museum of American Art and the Springfield Art Museum.  Today, her paintings and sculptures reside in prestigious corporate and private collections including PNC Bank, PPG Industries and Highmark. 
 
Beyond creating art, Joan was a powerhouse for arts advocacy. In 1959, she founded the 500-member Artist’s and Craftsman’s Guild (now the North Hills Arts Center) and served as its first president for nine years. Decades later, in 1995, she stepped in to secure its future by facilitating a new financial model and partnership with CCAC. In 1984, Joan was elected President of the Board of the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. Over her eight-year tenure, she spearheaded the Center’s first-ever capital campaign, successfully raising over $5 million. She also proudly served as a director emeritus of both The Butler Museum of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio, and Wittenberg University.
 
Community, Club Life, and Philanthropy

In addition to her artistic and social achievements, Joan was a lifelong equestrian, riding her beloved Arabian horses into her late 90s. She combined her love for horses with her philanthropic spirit by volunteering her time from 1994 to 1999 to direct the 800-horse Hartwood Show Jumping Festival. Under her visionary leadership, the festival benefited the Parental Stress Center, bringing world-class athletes and international attention to the Pittsburgh area.
 
An active and social presence in the community, Joan was a long-time member of the Rolling Rock Club, and the Duquesne Club and the Fox Chapel Golf Club where she brought her trademark athleticism to the fairways as a member of women's golf team.
 
Joan’s vibrant spirit, fierce determination, and profound contribution to the arts and her community will be cherished and remembered by all who knew her.
 
Her family would like to thank the dedicated caregivers, led by Connie Pizoli, MSN, RN, for their devoted and compassionate attention to Joan’s every need during her last years. 
 
A memorial service will be held at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238 on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Aviary at https://national-aviary.givingfuel.com/general-donation.

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