Joan Elizabeth Alexander

Joan Elizabeth Alexander has gone to be with her Lord and Savior at the age of 91. At her bedside was her favorite-daughter Jeanne, and her other children. Known as The Piano Lady at The Villages at Unity for the last 7 years, she regrettably did not put out a tip jar, and therefore was unable to realize her dream of gifting each of her children a fortune…especially Jeanne. She was, however, able to amass a small fortune in paper products, ever in fear of running out.

Joan was born September 16, 1934 on Long Island NY. She surmounted many challenges in her youth, including at 18 months old being sent to Germany (alone in the care of a ship's purser) for the first five years of her life, and later contracting then recovering from polio in her teens.

Joan derived much joy from her faith in Jesus and from her church families throughout the years, especially those at Hope Lutheran Church in Greece. The family is grateful for the love and care they have shown Joan.

In marriage, she was blessed with 6 phenomenal children. Just ask us. But she was also known for adding even more around the dinner table. Year after year, at her insistence, we hosted FreshAir Fund children and foreign students at the University of Rochester, including one who became her “adopted son,” Tee Goh. Much to our Dad's surprise and eventual delight, she even brought home a random cross-country cyclist off the street for a home cooked meal. Joan was a consummate gardener, cook, wedding cake baker and gingerbread house creator. Her exquisite and structurally sound Christmas houses were sought after, even by Wegmans, where she was engaged to demonstrate decorating her gorgeous creations.

Joan, and beloved husband Dean, formed The Alexander Family Band, infamous at restaurants and senior homes throughout Rochester in the early 1970s. The band’s February 1972 feature in Upstate Magazine was a fun highlight. Music remained center-stage in Joan's life as she enjoyed playing piano at home, and later at Unity, both solo and with her son Keith (drums), daughter Dina (pretty much any brass instrument), her grandson Will (trombone and string bass) and his wife Caroline (voice). Joan's fellow residents discovered what her family had known for decades, that her piano playing could turn an ordinary afternoon into something special. Though the piano at Unity may be quieter now, the melodies she shared, and the joy they generated, will play on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband Dean and eldest son Rick. She is survived by her sister, Carol, as well as her children; Susan (Howard), Nancy, Keith (Christy), Dina and favorite-daughter-Jeanne (Linc), grandchildren Kara (Bryan), Will (Caroline), Dylan, Taylor, Danielle (Collin), Jake, Allie, Rayne, Sage, Olivia and Aidan, and great-grandchildren Jack and Wyatt. They, along with her fellow residents at Unity, will miss her dearly. As will Wegmans Ridgemont, to which she drove daily, until no longer tall enough to see over the steering wheel.

So we celebrate our Mom/Gram/GreatGram/Piano Lady. Joan lived fully, loved generously, and left us with a lifetime of music and memories. And paper products.

A special thank you to Dr. Herbowy and staff, and the incredible care and kindness of everyone at Unity. A celebration of Joan's life will be held Saturday, April 25th, at 2pm at Roberts University's Shewan Recital Hall, 2301 Westside Dr. 

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the ministry of Joan’s dear friends, Chase and Jimmy Miller with World Gospel Mission (WGM.org/miller).

Or Jeanne.