Joan G. Ammer, M.D.

1933 - 2023

Joan G. Ammer, M.D., 89, of Fox Chapel, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 19, 2023. 

Joan was a proud alumnus of the class of 1954 at the University of Pittsburgh and later graduated from the University Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 1958 before completing her internship at Shadyside Hospital.

She went on to complete her psychiatric residency at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Pittsburgh, as well as the University of Utah during the time her husband served in the Medical Corps of The United States Air Force. In addition to serving as a staff psychiatrist, Joan served as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University School of Medicine and was later appointed Assistant Medical Director of the Mood Disorders Module of Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic.  

In addition to Joan’s love of snow skiing and many family ski trips out west, she enjoyed playing tennis and paddle. She also cherished spending countless afternoons lunching and shopping with her close girlfriends.    

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of sixty years, John Louis Ammer, M.D.; and her parents Stanley C. and Helen Westover Ehler. 

She is survived by her daughter, Joy (Michael) Irwin of Lookout Mountain, TN; grandchildren, Michael (Summer) Irwin III of Ringgold, GA, and John Addison Irwin of Lookout Mountain, TN; great-grandchildren Holden Brooks Irwin and Emerson Blake Irwin of Ringgold, GA; many nieces and nephews as well as her beloved dog, Charcoal. 

The family will receive friends on Wednesday May 24th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the WEDDELL-AJAK FUNERAL HOME, 100 Center Ave. Aspinwall, where family and friends will gather on Thursday, May 25th at 10:30 a.m. to process for an 11 a.m. funeral service at Allegheny Cemetery Temple of Memories Mausoleum, Lawrenceville, with a celebration of life to follow at the Pittsburgh Field Club. 

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org), or to Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley, 533 Linden Ave, New Kensington, PA. 15068.