Joy Delena Kissane

In Loving Memory of Joy Delena Kissane Beloved Wife, Sister, Aunt, Teacher and Friend Joy Delena Kissane, 79, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 27th at her home in Middletown, New York. Born on December 2,1945, in Brooklyn New York, Joy was the daughter of the late Catherine and Dominick Delena. The majority of her childhood was spent on Long Island, N.Y. where she developed her faith and love of music, playing the trombone in her father's church band with her sister, Grace. Joy earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education at Nyack College where she met her "forever" friends, Miriam Patton and Ingrid Nyborg. She spent almost thirty years in the Suffern School Districts as a music education teacher, leaving only when her beloved husband, John Kevin Kissane, passed away in 1998. Joy met Kevin (as he liked to be called) in Suffern, where he taught physical science at the high school. It was a very loving, beautiful marriage with many shared and separate interests. They eventually bought a home in Monroe, N.Y, which led to her attending and joining the First Presbyterian Church of Goshen, N.Y. At the church she loved the music program, first under the leadership of Paul Wright and now under Dr. Jonathan Hall, where she had the opportunity to play in the bell choir and sing in the church choir with her sister. They also enjoyed taking part in local choruses, such as the Warwick Valley Chorale. Joy played the piano beautifully and was studying the harp and cello. She was quite a musician! Beyond music, Joy and Kevin enjoyed traveling together, especially trips to Ireland as well as Cape Cod, where they eventually bought a home. Montauk and the Jersey Shore were vacations as well, since the ocean always attracted her. Through Kevin, Joy developed a love for Newfoundlands-a breed that brought them both enjoyment and unexpected chaos, like the time their dog Pasha ate an entire birthday cake! Joy loved her family and friends, to whom she showed love and generosity, while they brought her much happiness. Most of all, her faith gave her peace and lasting confidence that Heaven is her final resting place. Joy is survived by her sister, Grace Lanuti (Jerry) and her brother, Daniel Delena (Carol), many nieces and nephews: Michael Lanuti, Shannan Magnetico, Monica Kissane, John Kissane, Nick Pisciotti, Justine Pisciotti and Marianne Pisciotti and very close friend, Ken Van Rensselaer. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her sister, Mary Ann Dixon (Ron
A visitation will be held at the Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Middletown, NY on Thursday, August 7 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. A Funeral Service will be offered at the First Presbyterian Church in Goshen, NY on Friday, August 8th at 11:00Am. Inurnment will follow at the church columbarium.