February 28, 1931 - July 23, 2014
COOPERSTOWN - Joan O. Tripp, beloved mother, grandmother and sister, left this world for heaven on Wednesday afternoon, July 23, 2014.
Joan, and her brother, Jay, were born on February 28, 1931, the first twins born at Horton Memorial Hospital in Middletown.
She grew up in Middletown, graduating from Middletown High School in 1949. Joan then attended Drew University, receiving a bachelor's degree in Latin in 1953, and in 1956 attained a Master's degree in education from the State University College of Education in Oneonta. In 1989 she received a BOCES Bartending Certificate.
Joan taught elementary school in Cohoes and Middletown and was a remedial reading teacher in Edmeston and Cooperstown. She was the librarian for The Village Library of Cooperstown for 10 years, retiring in 1999 to help care for her grandchildren, which she found very fulfilling. She tended bar on a part time basis at the Lake Front Hotel Restaurant (and thanks the staff heartily for their patience!) and at social gatherings for her friends and the church. Since retirement from the Library, Joan has volunteered for Bassett Healthcare and at the Library.
An active communicant of St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, she spent many hours doing calligraphy, teaching Sunday school and helping with the Altar Guild, as well as being a Eucharistic Minister and serving communion to both inpatients at the hospital and those confined to their homes.
The single most pivotal point in Joan's life was her conversion from Judaism to Catholicism in 1988. She experienced a bright, shining light coming toward her, filling her with warmth from her feet to her head. The message she received from Jesus through the Holy Spirit was to become a Catholic and to never be afraid of death. Her baptism and confirmation took place on September 8, 1988, by Father John Sise with Barbara Roberts as her sponsor. Since that time her life was filled with joy and peace.
Joan leaves three children and their spouses, Dana and Martin Peeters of Westford, Nancy and Daniel Morris of Middlefield and Robert and Angela Tripp of Fair Oaks, CA; seven grandchildren, Stefanie, MariaRosa (Buddy), and Andrew, Olivia and Leland, and Samantha and John; one great granddaughter, Carmella; and her brother, Jay Oppenheim of Johnstown.
She was predeceased by her brother, Stanley, formerly of Cobleskill; and her parents, Isidore and Henriette for whom we can thank for Joan's loving and caring personality.
Of no less importance, Joan also leaves her special family at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, her friends at Cooper Lane Apartments and many more whose lives she touched.
Joan's family wishes to express their deep appreciation and gratitude to Jen, Ann, Candy, Lisa, Sam, Keith and Rob from Otsego Manor for the kind, considerate and understanding care they extended to Joan. All of the staff was wonderful and made her final months pleasant and comfortable.
Friends may call and pay their respects at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, Cooperstown from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2014, when Joan's family will be in attendance.
The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2014, at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor, presiding.
The Service of Committal and Burial will follow in St Mary's Cemetery, Index.
Anyone wishing to make a contribution in Joan's memory should do so to her favorite charity, The Cooperstown Food Pantry, 25 Church Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
