Joan Dobson Wait

ALBANY - Joan Dobson Wait passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026, at the age of 96 . She was born in Brooklyn, NY on August 27, 1929, to the late Frank and Ellen (Cloughessy) Dobson. Joan was raised in Rockville Centre, NY graduating from St Agnes, Southside High School, and Endicott College in 1949. Joan worked as a buyer for Allied Department Stores after graduation. She also enjoyed a successful career as a real estate broker and an executive recruiter. Joan and her husband, the late Kevin P Wait, former Mayor of Brookville, NY, raised their 5 children in Brookville spending summers at Nassau Country Club and winters skiing in Windham, NY with family and close friends.

Joan and Kevin moved to Albany in 1983. After the passing of Kevin Wait in 1994, Joan was fortunate to find love marrying David A Wait, a former District Attorney of Saratoga County, NY. Joan was a devout Catholic and was instrumental in the founding and building of St Paul’s RC Brookville, NY and supporting the School of the Holy Child, Old Westbury and as a Lady of the Holy Sepulchre. She enjoyed travelling with family and friends throughout the US, Europe and Asia with an unforgettable trip to the Holy Land. Memorable and frequent trips to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Alaska. Joan was an athlete her entire life playing field hockey and basketball in school with skiing, golf, tennis, horseback riding, and curling later in life. She was an avid reader, consumed 3 crossword puzzles daily and thrived tending to her extensive gardens. Joan was a lifetime member and supporter of the Fort Edward Historical Society.

She is survived by her beloved children; Jessica Wait Jennings ( Noel), Jarett F Wait ( Younghee Kim), Christian G Wait ( Cassandra Dagilatis), Adam A Wait ( Leroy Wilks), Andrea E Wait ( John Van Wagner) and her six grandchildren Maximilian, Jacqueline, Morgan, Danielle, Alexandra Unjo and Uno. Joan is predeceased by Kevin P Wait, second husband David A Wait, brother Daniel Dobson and sister Patricia Dobson McGuire.

Calling hours will be on Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 4-6pm at Hans Funeral Home 1088 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203. On Friday, February 27 at 10:30am a mass of Christian Burial will be held at All Saints Catholic Church16 Homestead Street, Albany, New York 12203. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Joan’s memory to: Holy Child Academy, 25 Store Hill Road, Old Westbury, NY 11568 https://www.holychildacademy.org/give .  To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .

Click here to view live-stream of mass on Friday, 2/27/2026 at 10:30 a.m.