Joan O'Leary

1930 - 2021

MT. MARION- Joan O’Leary, 90, a long-time resident of Mt. Marion passed away on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at her home. Joan was born Dec. 7, 1930 in the Bronx and was one of nine children of Colonel William and Elizabeth Stonebridge. Joan married her husband Richard on April 9, 1950 in Maspeth, Queens. Throughout her life, Joan always had more than one job and did them all well and with great pride. She was Mother, wife, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Cook, Seamstress, nurse, educator, housekeeper, tutor, and most important a wonderful friend. Joan took a job in the Saugerties School System as an aide and remained there until her retirement in 1982. Joan was instrumental in working in getting the aides unionized and pensions which they have to this day. The greatest joy was seeing “her children” and helping them excel whether it be their remedial reading aide or just being their advocate and best friend. Following the Saugerties School System, Joan took a job at Adam’s Fairacre Farms in Kingston and loved working there meeting people and enjoying her colleagues. Joan loved to travel, and to San Francisco to visit her children Joanne and Brian. These trips always involved side trips to Lake Tahoe, Carmel, Napa, Yosemite, Los Angeles, and San Diego. She loved the wineries. Joan’s travels took her abroad to Ireland, Italy, Switzerland and the island of Capri where she spent her 57th wedding anniversary with her husband Richard. One of Joan’s greatest joys in travel was to Guatamala to pick up her new grandson Ari. Joan was member of St. John the Evangelist for more than 40 years and was a Eucharistic Minister for many years and she taught Religious Education. Joan is survived by her three children, Joanne Brinkley of Alameda, CA, Brian of Mt. Marion, and Lauren Gold of Bellevue, Washington. She is survived by her 4 grandchildren, Heather, Melissa, Ryan, and Ari and her great and great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her dog CiCi whom she adored. Joan is predeceased by her husband Richard, her son Gary, and her grandson Taylor. Joan is also predeceased by her siblings Raymond, Alice, Gerald, Lorraine, Jean, and Margaret. Friends may call Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, at Buono Funeral Service, Inc., between the hours of 2 to 6 p.m. A funeral procession will form 9:30 a.m. Friday at Buono Funeral Service, Inc. and proceed to St John the Evangelist Parish where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Mt. Marion Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude’s as this was Joan’s favorite charity. Special thanks go to two special people who are Joan’s nurse, Dominique Nicklaus, and Joan’s friend Patti Nieffer. God makes angels and these are two of the best! https://www.lastingmemories.com/joan-oleary