Obituary of Joan Mary DiMarco
She is at peace. Tuesday, October 3rd, our most precious mother left this earthly world to be with Our Lord. Joan Mary Kearney was born on December 1, 1932. She grew up in Beacon, NY with her mother and father, Norena V. and Michael V. Kearney, her sister Norena E. Kearney and brother James P. Kearney.
While Joan was working as Office Manager for Dr. Frank, she and her friends attended a party, where a group of Italian boys from Wappingers were invited. It was love at first sight for Tony and after many dates dancing the night away on Mount Beacon, he won her heart. She was truly devoted to him and in 1953 they married. They settled into the Village of Wappingers Falls where they raised their children; Joan E. Williams, Mary Ann and Joseph DiStefano, Anthony M. and Terry DiMarco, Ellen and Mark Webber and Patricia and Michael Levine who all survive her.
She was Nana to her 12 grandchildren and their spouses, whom she loved with all her heart and soul. Brian DiStefano was her first followed by Laura DiStefano, James M. and Allie Williams, Dr. Elizabeth Williams and Dr. Matthew Pomykala, Meagan and Dan Shelah, Sarah and Robbie Tremblay, Anthony F. DiMarco, Katie and Ryan Bruggemann, Caroline and Christopher Beyer, Kristen and Mike Clerkin, Dr. Kimberly Levine-Pai and Jonathan Pai and Kelly and Brian Biwer.
No one was more proud of her great grandchildren than Nana DiMarco. Each and every one of them could not wait to get to her house to get their hug and candy from her everfilled candy jar. They are Olivia and Lachlan Pomykala, Paul and Benjamin DiStefano, Colin and Brayden Shelah, Ryder Webb Bruggemann, Aria and Ava Clerkin, Isabelle and Benjamin Pai and Owen Biwer.
She is also survived by her Sister In Law, Eleanor DiMarco and was Aunt Joan to many nieces and nephews whom she loved deeply.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband Anthony, her parents, Norena and Michael, her sister Norena, brother Jimmy, and her great grandson Michael DiStefano.
Joan was dedicated to her Catholic faith and quietly served her community by working at the St. Mary’s Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, and The Soup Kitchen in Poughkeepsie. She was a Religious Education teacher at St. Mary’s Wappingers Falls and a member of Catholic Daughters of America, St Mary’s Mothers Guild, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Joan was a champion of, and an avid supporter, of women. When our father passed away she was only 47 years old. She truly became the matriarch of our family. She hosted every holiday and made sure we remained strong as a family. She lived a beautiful, dignified life. She provided comfort and solace to all of us while asking little in return. She instilled in all of us, integrity, loyalty, and compassion. Her legacy will live on with the next generation.
The family will receive family and friends to honor Joan and her life at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home in Wappingers Falls, NY from 4 to 7 pm on Thursday October 5, 2023. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 2 pm on Friday, October 6 at St. Mary’s Church in Wappingers Falls.
It was Joan’s wish, in lieu of flowers, and in recognition of her commitment to a catholic education, that all donations be made in her memory to Our Lady of Lourdes High School, 131 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.
To send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.
