The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Joan M. Wheeler

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New Lebanon – Joan MacDonnell Wheeler, 77, formerly of Route 20, New Lebanon Center, NY, died peacefully on Monday, February 15, 2010, at her son’s home in Pittsfield, MA, her residence since 2007, while comforted by HospiceCare in the Berkshires.
Born March 25, 1932, in Queens, NY, she was the daughter of the late Allan B. and Florence Christopher MacDonnell. She was the loving wife of the late Albert I. Wheeler, who died on June 3, 2006. They were married in Brainard Methodist Church on March 15, 1958.
A 1950 graduate of Richmond Hill High School in Richmond Hill, Long Island, NY, Joan was a member and very active in the Queens Baptist Church. She worked at the American President Line Steamship Co. in New York City before moving to New Lebanon in 1954. She was the owner of the Cottage Coffee Shop in New Lebanon Center from 1954 to 1956 which she and Albert turned into their residence upon getting married. Joan worked for Ceramaseal in New Lebanon until 1959 when she started her family and stayed home to raise her children. She also worked at local newspapers in the Valley until the early 1990s before opening the Wooden Indian Gift Shop at her home and other locations. She and her husband traveled often and enjoyed camping in Vermont. She was a member of the American Legion Post #1236 Ladies Auxiliary, the LVPA and Fire Police and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Joan was a compassionate soul who enjoyed playing hymns on the piano, a loving mother who adored her grandchildren and a loyal Brooklyn Dodger’s fan who cherished her lifelong friendship with Corinne and her husband Edward Imhoff of Pisagh Forest, NC.
Survivors include her children, Nancy J. W. and husband Roger Vincent of Berlin, NY, Glenn A. and wife Liz Newton Wheeler of Pittsfield, grandchildren, Caleb I. M. Vincent, Marcia M. M. Vincent, Emma E. Wheeler, Hannah E. Wheeler and several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited for visitation at the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 NY 43, Stephentown, NY, on Thursday from 4 to 7 pm. Funeral services are on Friday at 11 am at the Funeral Home, where the Reverend Bonnie Bates will officiate.  Interment will be in the spring in the Cemetery of the Evergreens in New Lebanon.
Memorial contributions may be made to either HospiceCare in the Berkshires, the Memorial Fund of the Cemetery of the Evergreens or the Lebanon Valley Protective Association in care of the Funeral Home, P.O. Box 9, Stephentown, NY, 12168.