Obituary of Joan Lewis

Ballston Lake - Joan B Lewis, (Betty Joan Crown) born 18 May 1929 in Washington DC, and a resident of the area for nearly 50 years, passed from this life Thursday morning, March 17, leaving a huge hole in the family that she loved so dearly. She was a graduate of Wilson Teachers College in DC, and earned her Master's Degree in Education at the College of St Rose. Joan was a first grade school teacher at Charlton Heights Elementary School for thirty years. Through age and illness, she never lost the ability to name all of those years worth of students, and could even recall where in her classroom each sat. If she taught you she remembered you. She especially loved when the children of former pupils became her students. The welfare and education of children was her passion. In fact, her school ID tag was a prized possession and one of the few things she requested go with her when she made her move to Brookdale Assisted Living and more recently Eddy Village Green in Cohoes. Joan always maintained child like qualities and her family joked that a first grade classroom was where she was most comfortable. She loved coloring books and crayons, crossword puzzles, holiday decorations and dressing for each holiday appropriately. She had the quirkiest sense of humor that was predictable to family, but often caught her caretakers off guard. A lifelong and diehard Washington Redskins football fan she could be found in front of the TV in her team garb whenever they played, and woe to anyone who might phone her during the game. A true fan of football, if her team was not playing she would root for the team with the best looking quarterback. Joan was a proud breast cancer survivor who after treatment became an unmatched collector of hats to keep her head warm. She became known among her friends as the "Lady with a Thousand Hats" although that may be an underestimation. She was the best keeper of secrets, and the most gentle and non judgmental of souls. It is only right that this gem of women trade her thousand hats for a halo. Joan is survived by her children Craig Lewis (Linda), Caren Kilgore (Tom), Cheri Feldman (Jim),and her sisters Mary Brennan (Hugh) and Donna Genualdi (Marty). She was predeceased by her daughter Cathi Tittemore (Bob), her former husband Craig A Lewis, and her brother Jack Crown. She leaves thirteen grandchildren: Carey Tittemore (Marty Deschaine), Keith Lewis (Katherine), Daniel Kilgore (Rebecca), Allison Kilgore Liston (Bryan), Ashley Tittemore, Sarah Lewis Jenkins (Will), Patrick Kilgore (Jill), Katie Tittemore (Brett), Jamie Tittemore (Theresa), Christin Lewis Sickels (Andrew), Rachael Feldman, Corttney Feldman, Mallory Feldman and four great grandchildren: Ryan Hauger, Devin Tittemore, Damien Tittemore, and Ashton Edwards. Broken-hearted all. The family wishes to thank the caretakers at Brookdale of Niskayuna and more recently the Eddy Village Green for their loving support and care. For those wishing, donations to The American Heart Association/The American Stroke Association, or The Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, two causes dear to Joan, are appreciated. Funeral service Tuesday morn 9:30 from the Daly Funeral Home 242 McClellan st and 10:00 at St John the Evangelist Church 806 Union St . Calling hours Monday eve 6-8 at the Funeral Home. Interment Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery , Niskayuna.