Obituary of Joan C. Tanner

Winthrop – Joan C. Tanner, 85, passed away Thursday, January 25, 2018 at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop. 

Joan was born on January 13, 1933 in Massena, daughter of the late Silas A. and Claire H. (Alden) Curtis.  She graduated from Brasher Stockholm High School in 1952.  On October 29, 1953, she married Edward W. Tanner at St. John’s Church in Massena.

 She was trained as a Lab Tech and worked at Massena Memorial Hospital.  Joan later went to Potsdam State, working in the printing office.  Living in Stockholm, she took the position of Tax Collector and Bookkeeper for the town.

Joan was a member of the Brasher Falls United Methodist Church; a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star, Lyra Laurentian Cretona Vega Chapter #230; a 50-year member of the American Legion Post#514 in Winthrop; a 50-year member of the VFW Post #1143 in Massena; The Red Hat Society, the Birthday Club, Quad Town Senior Citizens and Massena Senior Citizens.

Joan was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, giving to them her nurturing and love.  She was blessed with many dear and cherished friends, too many to mention, with whom she shared laughter and fun-filled times.

She is survived by her two daughters, Judith and Steven Stinson of Winthrop, and Cynthia Tanner of Pleasant Valley; one sister, Ann and Gary Ploof of Hannawa Falls, five grandchildren, Jason and Tanya Rufa of Winthrop, Christine and William Knorr of Valley Cottage, Matthew Miraglia of Potsdam, Jonathan and Lyndsay Stinson of Ventnor City, NJ and Elizabeth Miraglia of Boston, MA, two great grandchildren, Edward Knorr and Catherine Knorr.

She shared a loving union of 53 years to Ed prior to his passing on September 3, 2006, and recently lost her brother and sister in law, John S. and Emily Curtis.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home Sunday from 2 to 5pm. A Eastern Star Ceremony will be held at 3 pm.  Joan’s funeral service, celebrating her life, will be held following visitation at 5pm.  Burial will be held in the spring in Winthrop Cemetery.

Memories and condolences can be shared with her family at www.hammillfh.com.