Obituary of Joan Crowley

       Joan Crippen Crowley, R.N.,90, of  Broadalbin, N.Y. went home to the Angels on Sunday May 24, 2020 at the Mountain Valley Hospice Home with her loving family at her side.
       Born in Burke, NY on April 6, 1930 a daughter of the late Smith and Neoska (Witherell) Crippen.  She was a life long resident of the Amsterdam and Ft. Johnson area and was a 1948 graduate of the former Wilbur H. Lynch High School, was in the High School Band and the Swing Band.  She also was in the “Joan Crippen Swingster’s All Girl Orchestra” and played the steel guitar and sang. Joan was also in the Ft. Johnson Fife and Drum Corps and the Bugle Corps., a member of the Amsterdam Women’s Benevolent Association Marching Band. 

She went on to graduate from the Nathan Littauer Hospital School of Nursing in 1951.
    Joan was a Registered Nurse and worked first at Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville, NY later at Sunmount VA Hospital in Tupper Lake, NY.   She also was employed as a private duty nurse, and was employed by St. Mary’s Hospital Maternity Ward in Amsterdam for 16 years. 
     Joan went on to work for the Montgomery County Department of Social Services as  Supervisor of Adult Protective Services and later Supervisor of Child Protective Services Retiring in 1991. 
  She enjoyed playing the organ, piano and fibre harp.   She was a member of the Saint Kateri Tekawitha Shrine and a communicant of St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church in Fonda, NY.  She also was a member and communicant formerly at St. Joseph’s Church in Broadalbin and the church’s Altar Rosary Society and the Catholic Daughters of America within the church.
     Joan was a proud member of the “Rugmakers Riding Club”. Showing horses over the years.   
     She was licensed to drive and train Racing Ponies, trained and exercised Harness Horses.  She was a member of the U.S. Ponies Trotting Association, United States Trotting Association.  She owned and operated J&J Stables with her husband Jack for many years. Joan has owned, bred, raised boxers and has shown them in various competitions from obedience, to confirmation earning several titles and awards over the years, her dogs also had been certified “Therapy Dogs” and have visited nursing homes and hospitals.  She was a member of the Sacandaga Kennel Club and the Saratoga Kennel Club where she sat on the Board of Directors and was an honorary member. 
          Joan married John T. “Jack” Crowley on December 31, 1972, he died on April 21, 1999.      
         Joan is survived by her daughter Cindi Balestra (Gary) of Broadalbin, NY.  One son, David Wojcicki (Leslie Zampella) of Gansevoort, NY.  Several cousins, dear neighbors, Klaus and Erica Beckman.      
      She was predeceased by her grandson, Gary P. Balestra II who passed away on October 31, 1978 and her beloved son, John M. Wojcicki on September 17, 2009.
     Joan’s family would like to say a special Thank you to her home care team, Telley, Luana, Kathy, Lexi, Morgan, Christine, Topanga and Melissa.  Also to the Mountain Valley Hospice House Kelly Montayne and Staff.   
     Due to the Covid-19 Outbreak, funeral services are private.  Father Robert Pawhida and Father Christopher Welch will be presiding over services.   Entombment will be in her family mausoleum in Fairview Cemetery, Amsterdam, NY.   Arrangements are under the direction of the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam, NY 12010. Memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Cancer Foundation, 191 Main Street, #225, Port Washington, NY 11050 and the Saint Kateri Tekawitha National Shrine, PO Box 627, Fonda, NY 12068-0627.    Please visit the online memorial and sign the Virtual Guest Registry to support the family at www.brbsfuneral.com.