Joan Marie Daly

Joan Marie (Dirkmaat) Daly's 85 year life journey ended peacefully in her home on Friday, June 27, 2025. She was born August 22, 1939, to John and Veronica Dirkmaat of Waldwick, New Jersey, who have preceded her in death. She was the first of three children born to John and Veronica. Her sister Patricia Ann Bernhardt and family of Chestnut Ridge, New York and John Willem Dirkmaat and family of Salisbury, Maryland, survive her. In her early years, Joan cultivated an interest in life science which she pursued toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) from Seton Hall University. Thereafter she worked for many years as a pediatric nurse for Columbia University Hospital, New York City. It was while living in New York that she met and later married "her guy Bill Daly". They married in 1979 at the United Nations Chapel in New York. Together they moved to Charlottesville Virginia, where Bill owned and operated Daly's Rent All and Joan continued her nursing career at the Kluge Pediatric Hospital, working with children through Equine Therapy as well as teaching nursing at the University of Virginia. Joan loved to play tennis and for many years would regularly meet up with her doubles partners at Boars Head Sports Club. Afterward, she would retire to the back porch of their home to relax with the views of nature along the reservoir creek. Her life with Bill would end in 2017 with his passing and thereafter, she sold their house and moved to the University Village community to begin her next chapter. While living at the University Village, she made many friends, involving herself in various social activities and was known as a kind and helpful part of the community. In addition to Patricia Ann and John Willem, Joan is survived by 6 nieces and nephews, her stepdaughters; Lisa Duncan of Woodside, California, Kathleen Eck of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Michele Bechard of Ballston Spa, New York; 10 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. The family and friends sincerely wish to thank Attentive Quality Care and Hospice of the Piedmont for their respectful care during Joan's time of need. A private internment will occur at a later date to be determined by the family. Condolences may be sent to the family on the tribute wall.