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Joan Byam Obituary
COLONIE - Joan Kay Byam, 85, passed away on Thursday, July 10, 2025, into the loving arms of Christ. She was born in Albany on October 4, 1939, daughter of the late Howard S. Byam and Beulah J. Briggs Byam. Her two sisters, Carol L. Rice and Diane R. McConnelee (Paul) survive her.
Joan was a North Colonie Elementary School teacher for 33 years. She was a wonderful aunt to many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. Joan enjoyed traveling with her longtime friend, Peter Diem, visiting many lighthouses on the east coast, and visiting Yellowstone N.P. She was a wonderful caretaker to several family members and friends who predeceased her, including her longtime friend, Nancy Williams (2018). Joan's health began declining in 2020, even though she did not get Covid until recently. She has been at Shaker Place nursing facility for the past two months. The family thanks the staff for their wonderful care of Joan.
Joan was an active member of Lisha's Kill Reformed Church (LKRC), a Sunday School teacher, and librarian. She will be greatly missed by many friends and family.
All are invited to attend a Memorial Celebration of Life service on Friday, July 18, 2025, at LKRC, 2131 Central Ave., Schenectady, N.Y. A time of gathering will take place at 11:00 a.m., with lunch to follow the service.
Memorial donations in Joan's honor may be made to LKRC, or Schenectady City Mission.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joan Byam
Mary Elizabeth Simmons
August 10, 2025
My sincere condolences to Joan´s family. She was so wonderful to her aunt Elsie whom I had the great pleasure of taking care of many years ago. Rest in heavenly paradise Joan.
Michael and Phyllis Ricci
July 19, 2025
Miss Byam taught both our sons at Latham Ridge School. She was a compassionate teacher and gave both of them a foundation for future learning. Both are now employed in education.
Rest in peace, Ms. B.
Judy Dinan
July 17, 2025
Joan was such a wonderful person and role model. She was so helpful to me as a new teacher and would always make herself available for advice or to just chat.
How very talented and artistic she was too. I still have her baby sweater outfits she knitted for both my girls. I was also gifted with a beautiful quilled Nativity scene. So perfect and given with so much love. Rest in Peace Joan. You surely are in heaven now...
Charlotte Grenier
July 17, 2025
Joan was a lovely person and wonderful teacher. I was lucky to be her teaching partner in first grade.
BettyJo Bond
July 17, 2025
I knew Joan from Kingsway when Here good friend Nancy William's I was there. Joan was such a amazing lady with a kind heart
Christina MacKay Field
July 17, 2025
Miss Byam was my first grade teacher at Latham Ridge many years ago. She was a wonderful teacher, always encouraging me, always positive, always kind. And she had the neatest printing ever. My condolences to her family.
Ann Derico
July 16, 2025
I taught across the hall from Joan. A lovely , kind person. She was a great teacher with a beautiful smile. God bless her family n
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New Comer Cremations & Funerals - Colonie343 New Karner Rd, Colonie, NY 12205
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