Brenda Watkins Jesteadt, M.D.

Dr. Brenda Watkins Jesteadt, 66, of Conneaut Lake, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, August 10, 2023, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

She was born in Kingston, PA and graduated from Wycoming Valley West High School, Kings College, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Dr. Watkins completed a Pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.  She spent her entire 35-year career practicing Pediatrics at South Hills Pediatric Associates in Brentwood, PA.  She adored her patients, and the multigenerational families she cared for, calling the second and third generations her “grand-patients.”

Dr. Watkins is survived by her husband and soulmate of 31 years, Ron Jesteadt, two sons, LT Timothy Jesteadt USN, Norfolk, VA (Emily) and Scott Jesteadt (Serena), Greensburg, PA.  Her family was her pride and joy, always what she considered her greatest accomplishments!  Just ask-and she would be pulling up pictures and telling you about them!  They were unfailing in their love and devotion to her throughout her life, and were heroic when she became ill.  She is also survived by her best friend of over 50 years who helped her every step in this journey -Patricia Plominski, and her brother, Dr. Bruce Watkins, Hawaii.

Dr. Watkins loved to run, completing 2 marathons, was an avid skier, swimmer, cyclist, hiker, scuba diver, and had a second-degree black belt in TKD.  She was pleased to call Conneaut Lake her retirement home, and never tired of her lake view.  She was a devoted dog mom to her beloved Fred.

She was a long-time member of Covenant Community Presbyterian Church in Wexford, PA.

She became involved in several lung cancer advocacy groups to remove the stigma of lung cancer and awareness that the disease can happen in anyone with lungs – no smoking required.  She was a phone buddy with GO TO Lung Foundation, a proud KRAS Kicker, and a patient advocate and mentor with GRASP Foundation.  Funding cancer research was a priority of hers.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, August 15th from 4 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, August 16th from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at WAID-COLEMAN FUNERAL HOME, 12422 CONNEAUT LAKE RD., CONNEAUT LAKE.

The funeral service will be Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. John Price officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, if desired, can be made to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation at https://tinyurl.com/kraskicker; http://participate.lcrf.org/site/TR?fr_id=4162&pg=entry

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidcolemanfh.com