Joan O'Leary Scholtes

Joan O'Leary Scholtes, Greenwich, Conn., passed away April 25 at The Nathaniel Witherell Nursing Home, Greenwich, where she received excellent care for close to 5 1/2 years.

Born Dec. 9, 1933, in Middleport, she was a daughter of the late William and Elizabeth Connelly O'Leary.

Joan was always creative in many arts and crafts activities and was well known for her talent as a watercolor artist. She was very active in The Art Society of Old Greenwich for more than 35 years, and for many years served as vice president. For 10 years, Joan headed the arts and crafts senior group at St. Catherine of Sienna, Riverside. Their handcrafted efforts were always quickly sold out at the annual Christmas bazaar for the benefit of the parish.

Joan married Paul J. Scholtes, originally of Minersville, Nov. 25, 1961. They lived in New York City until they moved to Old Greenwich in 1968.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, William; lifelong close friend, Barbara Budresky Cowhey.

Surviving are her husband and her lifelong close friend, Helene O'Neill Thomas, Middleport; nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Cross Church, New Philadelphia. Respects can be made in the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. After Mass there will be a reception at the Middleport Inn. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Friends of Nathaniel Witherell, 70 Parsonage Road, Greenwich, CT 06830. Arrangements by Castiglione Funeral Home, Greenwich. For online condolences, please visit www.castiglionefh.com.

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