Joan Gundrum

Petersburgh – Joan Long Arold Gundrum, 79, passed away on August 3, 2016. [private]She was born on July 11, 1937 in Johnstown, NY. A mother of two daughters, she put her educational ambitions on hold for many years, but at the age of 42 she received her BA from SUNY Albany, followed a few years later by a Masters in Art Education from St. Rose. Although she never taught art in public school, she was a teacher of art for her entire life – from teaching her daughters to throw a pot, to teaching stained glass in the studio she ran for many years, to teaching numerous people who thought they could not draw that they were mistaken. Joan enjoyed a challenge and once she mastered an art she was ready to move on. During her busy life her family remembers the glow of a pottery kiln in the garage, beautiful plants in the greenhouse attached to the house, breathtaking stained glass lamps and windows crafted and sold first from the garage and later from Shards Glashaus in Latham, heirloom quilts, and at the end of her life beautifully turned woodwork from her lathes in both New York and Florida. Her family and friends will treasure the art she freely gave away and will remember her with love every day when we look at and use the beauty she gave us. Joan is survived by her husband Gunny Gundrum of Petersburgh NY, daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Dean Pilon of Ballston Lake NY, daughter and son-in- law Gretchen and Richard Chiaramonte of Bahama, NC, sister Pamela Avis of Dunedin, FL, brother Walter Long of Seattle, WA, grandson and granddaughter-in-law Michael and Eden DeNovio of Oceanside, CA, grandson Brian DeNovio of Portland, OR, step-mother Elizabeth Long of Lisbon, CT, stepson and stepdaughter-in-law Eric and Cristin Gundrum of San Jose California, stepgrandson Aiden Gundrum of San Jose California, stepgrandson Lucas Whitelaw of Boston MA, stepgrandson Justin Whitelaw of CT, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins. Joan is predeceased by her father Walter Long, mother Clara Long, first husband Frederic Arold, sister Diane Goman, sister Kristine Long, mothers and fathers-in-law, and aunts and uncles. Cremation is being handled by New Comer Funeral Home in Colonie NY. A memorial service will be held at a later date.[/private]