Joan Grabo

Joan Grabo
1927 - 2014
PITTSFIELD - Joan Coughlin Grabo, 86, of Rome, N.Y., passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 22, 2014, at Rome Memorial Hospital with her loving family by her side.
She was born on Oct. 21, 1927, in Pittsfield, a daughter of Robert and Kathleen Kiggins Coughlin. Joan was a 1945 graduate of Pittsfield High School and a 1949 graduate of Bishop Memorial School of Nursing.
Joan began her career as a Registered Nurse with Berkshire Medical Center. She then went to work at Albany Medical Center where she met her future husband, Frederick Grabo, MD. They were united in marriage on June 18, 1949, in Pittsfield. Joan was her husband's nurse and office manager for many years, retiring in 1988.
Joan was a former President and member of the Rome Twigs and was a member of several professional nursing organizations. She was an accredited travel agent, but mostly planned vacations for her family.
For many years Joan bred, raised, and showed Irish Wolfhounds, of which some were champions. Every summer, Joan enjoyed being on her boat with her entire family and their friends, campaigning from Connecticut to Maine and to Canada. She loved spending significant amounts of time in her cottage in Hinsdale.
She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Frederick Grabo, MD of Rome; two sons, and daughters-in-law, Raymond and Patricia Grabo of Canada and Robert and Diane (Ellison) Grabo of Scotia, N.Y.; two daughters and a son-in-law, Kathleen Pallay and James Schafer and Cindy and Bob Reynolds, all of Rome; nine cherished grandchildren, Jessi, Kendra, Stephanie, Carmen, Clayton, Carly, Elise, Lindsay, and Gregory; two great- granddaughters, Josie and Sophie; she was anticipating the birth of her third great-grandchild, Harrison; a brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Sue Coughlin of Pittsfield, and two nieces, Donna Coughlin and Debbie and Ross DeBlois.
The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Seedat, Dr. Cotronea, the staff at Rome Memorial Hospital, and her special caregivers, Kathy, Vicki, Dana, and Alicia for the wonderful care and compassion shown to Joan and her family.
FUNERAL NOTICE: In keeping with Mrs. Grabo's wishes, there will a celebration of her life that will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hinsdale Volunteer Firemen's Association, 130 Maple St., Hinsdale, MA 01235.
The family is being served by the Gulla Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. , 209 N. Washington St., Rome, (315-336-5700).
To add to Joan's online memorial or send a message of condolence, please visit: www.gullafuneral.com