Obituary of Joan M. Scheib

A letter from your children. Mom, we are grateful for the love you shared with us, Dad, our families and everyone you encountered. We were blessed to be by your side at the end of your long and peaceful journey on March 13th. Your interest in others defined who you were. Life-long friends were made wherever you went. You created a deep, meaningful connection in our entire extended family and in the greater community. It always amazed us how you knew where each of us was and what we were doing, every day, every hour. You walked with us whether you were there in person or far away. We felt your warm support when we scraped our knees, lost our homework or sought new vocations—and of course, as we raised our own families—with armloads of help and advice from our incredible parents. You adopted all of our spouses as your own and rejoiced in the unique lives of each of your grandchildren. Mom, your energy was contagious! It's not surprising many of our fondest memories are of you racing up the stairs, walking woodland trails, cooking up a storm, planting gardens or driving a million carpools. You taught us where to find meaning in life, how to care for the earth and how important it is to keep learning and growing at every age. We are smiling as we remember how you ended each day with a book in your gentle hands—hoping to satisfy your ever-inquisitive mind. Always up for a big adventure, you backpacked and camped in the national parks, traveled throughout North America and visited a dozen different countries—including four memorable trips to Ireland to meet your many relatives in County Clare and Dublin. Thank you for sharing what you learned as you wandered with Dad and small groups of family and friends on your numerous elder hostel sojourns. Worth noting were the most courageous adventures involving a station wagon and driving across the country with all nine of us (three times). Over the years it was definitely a special treat to visit your extended family around Boston where you grew up as a young girl, and later received a chemistry degree from Emmanuel College. Your first job was with GE in Schenectady in 1954 and apparently the chemistry was undeniable with a young engineer named Francis, the love of your life, and our very special dad. We will be forever inspired and motivated by your dedicated volunteer work at the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region, Schenectady Inner City Ministry, Roxbury Farm CSA, Albany Diocesan Peace and Justice Commission, Catholic Charities and the Niskayuna CSD Department of Special Education…not to mention the many church programs you participated in at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Sacred Heart St. Columba Church, St. John the Baptist and St. Margaret of Cortona Mission Church. You learned and grew from your work with Haven and Hospice of Schenectady, especially your time as the volunteer coordinator for Hospice. Thank you for sharing what you experienced. It has made our final days with you easier. If anyone ever gave more than they took, it was you. Mom, we miss you more than words can describe. Just know that if we had a chance to live our life with you all over again, we wouldn't change a thing. It was perfect. On behalf of Francis, your beloved husband of 65 years; and with love from your children, Mary Jo Swiggett (Robert Swiggett), John Scheib, Katherine Scheib (David Holodak), Daniel Scheib (Lynda Kelly), Julie Scheib-Feeley (David Feeley), Paul Scheib (Kim Packard-Scheib), and Roslyn Dahl (Eric Dahl); your eleven grandchildren, Sam, Nick, Gabriel, Clare, Cecilia, Sonja, Kayla, Tommy, Lars, Andrew, and Brendan; your brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Carol Mullin (Tim Sturtevant), Joe and Gigi Scheib, Marianne Brosseau, and Maggie Schmoker; and many nieces, nephews and their families. We also celebrate the memory of your parents, Katherine O'Keefe and Daniel A. Mullin, and your dear brothers, Richard Mullin, Fr. John Mullin S.J., Robert Mullin, and Daniel Mullin. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Joan to either Partners Health Organization through the following link https://www.pih.org/donate or Community Hospice https://www.givetocommunityhospice.org/donate/ or to the charity of your choice.