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Joyce French Obituary

French, Joyce (Flanders) ALBANY Joyce Flanders French, 62, passed away Sunday, October 28, 2007 at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital after a long illness. Born in Newark, N.J., Joyce was the daughter of the late Connie Whitous and Wallace Flanders. Before she was a teenager, she moved to Catskill, N.Y. There, Joyce was raised by Ida Street, who became a much beloved second mother to her. Joyce had a remarkable professional career. She spent most of that time assisting people in key political and governmental positions. Joyce has been working at this since 1967. Her career started with the state legislature, after that working for Marietta Tree, then the delegate to the state constitutional convention. Joyce was an administrative assistant to the Senate Majority Leader, Manfred Ohrenstein and then joined the Secretary of State Basil Paterson's office. Some of her diverse credits are her past membership on the board of directors of public radio station WAMC and staff assistant on the committee for the inauguration of Governor Mario Cuomo. Most recently, she worked for the federal government as an executive assistant to U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, retiring last year. She is survived by her son, Jamal French and his fiancee Krystl Call; her brother, Robert Wilkerson, her half brother, Reggie Williams; and her granddaughter, Ariana French. Joyce was predeceased by her brothers, Ricardo Street and Ronald Wilkerson. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday at New Comer-Cannon Family Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155 south of Central Ave). Calling hours will be Thursday 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.NewComerFamily.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Albany Times Union on Oct. 31, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Joyce French

Not sure what to say?





La'Taunya French

December 26, 2007

Jamal, i was just thinking about you at this time of Christmas and just wanted to let you know if you ever need me just give me a call. Blessings to you, your fiance' and your daughter. Your big sis Toni

Uncle Glenn French

December 17, 2007

Dear Favorite Nephew, Your mom was a wonderful person whom I always thought was very special. I am waiting for you and your fiancee to come visit as we discussed. You are a loyal son and deserve a good rest.

Valencia Brown Counts

November 27, 2007

Jamal, you and your family are in my prayers. I knew your mother professionally, and she was truly a professional in every sense of the word. The last time I saw Joyce, she look wonderful. I'd never have imagined that she was ill. Be assured that your mom is at peace in her final resting place with God. She knows pain no more but is full of the everlasting life we all hope to attain.

Jamal, Joyce is looking down and saying what a good and faithful son you are! You took great care of your mom and believe me, she appreciated it. You were her joy!

Marianne Daniels Bross

November 7, 2007

To Joyce's Family -

My deepest sympathy to you on the passing of Joyce. I worked with her for a short time at the NYS Dept of Health. Joyce was a wonderful person with a beautiful smile. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

BARBARA SHARPE-ONEAL

November 2, 2007

TO JAMAL & FAMILY:

JOYCE WAS A BEAUTIFUL PERSON. SHE ALWAYS HAD A SMILE EVERY TIME SHE SAW YOU.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMIILY DURING YOUR TIME OF SORROW.

Thomas Brennan

November 2, 2007

Jamal, I'm deeply saddened by the passing of your mom. My family and i are including you in our prayers

Dolly Goyer

November 2, 2007

Jamal, I am so sorry to hear about your mother. You will be in my prayers.

Mary Ellen Mancinelli

November 2, 2007

Jamal,
My deepest sympathies to you in the loss of your mother. She was a wonderful woman. She is now watching over you from heaven. We will miss her at Woodcrost.

Claudia Shrader

November 2, 2007

Jamal,
My prayers are with you and your family.

LATONYA(Fatimah) MATTHEWS

November 2, 2007

Jamal,
I send my condolences to you, May god bless you and keep you as strong as he possibly can. There will be times you will have hard times. When those times come speak to god he will guide you through those difficult times. My heart is with you, and i will keep you in my prayers.

Pamela Turpin

November 2, 2007

Jamal & family,
I don't know if you remember but I use to babysit you when you were younger. NormaJean and your mother was good friends, my family and I sends our deepest sympathy. God bless you forever.
With peace and love from Pamela Turpin and Family

Tonya Venable

November 2, 2007

Jamal, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. My prayers are with you and your family. Trust in God and everything will be alright.

Vincent Brace

November 2, 2007

Dear Cousin,

Sorry I am unable to be with you during your time of loss. Please accept my thoughts and prayers as you eulogise your Mother. Aunt Joyce was a true lady always kind and encouraging to me. May God Bless and keep you at this time.

Love Always
Cousin Vincent

Sheila

November 2, 2007

Jamal and Robert,
All of my sympathy on the loss of your wonderful Mom and sister. She's at peace now with Ric, Ronnie and Mother watching over you.

bernard dickson

November 1, 2007

may god bless you and rest in peace.

twannette holland

November 1, 2007

god bless you. may you rest in peace.

Donna Stephenson (Frament)

November 1, 2007

Dear Jamal -- I know you do not know or probably remember me. Although I did not know of your mother's illness, my deepest and sincerest condolescences for your loss. I worked with your mom in the late 1970s and early 1980s at the Division for Youth on Holland Avenue in Albany, NY. She was a wonderful woman to know and work with. May God Bless You and Keep You Safe, Happy and Blessed.

Sarah Curry-Cobb

November 1, 2007

Jamal, please know that Aunt Sarah is praying for you. You had a great mom, she was my dear friend. Think of all the good memories and know that she is in a better place. We did not want her here suffering. Remember as along as i'm here you can always count on me.

Lt. Colonel Cornell Morris and family

November 1, 2007

Joyce: God Bless my cousin, you were always like a big sister to me growing up in Catskill. Jamal, may the lord watch over you and your family in this time of loss. Cornell

Kelly Graves

November 1, 2007

Jamal
I am so sorry to hear of the lost of your Mom. You are in my thoughts
and prayers as always

Love your Sister

You Sister, Kelly Graves

November 1, 2007

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Brigitte Dobbs

November 1, 2007

No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.

James (Jay Jay) Chandler

October 31, 2007

To Jamal and family,
Mal your mom is in a better place, and will live within you forever! I think back when we were young, your mom was caring, concerned, and always wanted us to do right. Through our lives into manhood she remained the same beautiful person. Be strong brother, and to Ms. Joyce French (Flanders) you will be missed but never Forgotten! Peace and Blessing!

Jay and Family

Sue Sims

October 31, 2007

Bob, so sorry to hear about the loss of your sister. This goes out to Joyce: God saw you getting tired, when a cure was not to be. So he wrapped his arms around you, and whispered, "Come to me". You didn't deserve what you went through, So he gave you rest. God's garden must be beautiful, He only takes the best.

Nathaniel and Janet White- Jackson

October 31, 2007

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

Tony Young

October 31, 2007

Jamal & Family

I would like to extend my sincerest sympathy at this loss of one of my dearest friends - "Frenchy." Without Joyce working at the Division for Youth would not have been possible. Be strong, keep on because her Spirit carries on.

Loretta McKenzie

October 31, 2007

Jamal, you are in my prayers, Joyce was my dear friend and I will miss her. May God bless you and your family.

Tonya Jordan-Motley

October 31, 2007

Dear Jamal,

I, too, understand how you feel. Just last year, I lost my mother the same way. Please know that you are in my prayers. And if you ever want to just talk, I am available. God knows and understands and He is right there beside you.

Love and blessings,
Sister Tonya Jordan-Motley

Felicia Dobbs

October 31, 2007

Please accept our deepest sympathies.

Aretha D. Collins

October 31, 2007

Jamal,

Although we never met, my heart goes out to you and your family.
The last time I saw your Mom was at a Barbeque and she greeted me with a big smile and a hug and that is the way I will always remember her.

God Bless

Aretha D. Collins

Deacon Michael Good

October 31, 2007

Jamal: Our prayers are with you in your time of lost. Trust God to restore your joy in his time. If we can be of assistance to you please let us know.

Deacons Ministry,
Mt Pleasant Baptist Church

Rita & Latonya Matthews

October 31, 2007

Jamal,

You have our deepest sympathy upon the loss of your Mother. If there is anything that we can do, please let us know. We loved your Mother very much. We are going to surely miss her. May God take you through this most difficult time. Love Rita & Latonya Matthews

October 31, 2007

jay,
my prayers & thoughts are with you

sonja comithier

Nursing Staff 6 Brady Farrell

October 31, 2007

Our condolences to Jamal and all of Joyce's family. She was a wonderful woman, with a great spirit.

The Ministerial Staff of Mt. Pleasant

October 31, 2007

Jamal:
Our prayers are with you and your family during your season of breavement.

Joyce D Williams

October 31, 2007

No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve. Jamal may your faith in God guide you through this difficult time.

Your sister in Christ,

Marge Mineau

October 31, 2007

To Joyce's Family - Please accept my condolences on the passing of dear Joyce. We worked together for a brief time at the NSYDOH, Commissioner's Office. Joyce was a gracious and kind person and we missed her when she retired from our office. May she rest in peace.

Carmen French

October 31, 2007

Jamal I send my prayers to you and your family. Love Carmen.

Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Bereavement Committee

October 31, 2007

Jamal and family

...earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal. We can't imagine your pain or heart break, let the Lord our God be your comforter. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

velma jeffress

October 31, 2007

there is no other like you.you will be miss.god has one of his angels with him.i was always glad to see your wonderul smile and hear that wonderful laugh. may god bless you my dear friend. you will stay in my heart forever.

Judy French

October 31, 2007

My Condolences to you Jamal. I was saddened to hear of your loss. Know that you are and always will be in my thoughts and prayers. With deepest sympathy, love your sister Judy.

Dianne Laney

October 31, 2007

Good bye Joyce one last time, usually I'm the one "going home",with very fond memories.

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