Obituary of Joan H. DeSilva

Walton- Joan (LaPorte) DeSilva (82) passed away peacefully on Christmas Day surrounded by loving family, after a 21year battle with dementia. She spent her last 7 years at Cooperstown Center to whom her family is grateful for her care. Joan was a quiet, strong, loving mother, sister, grandmother and friend. She was fierce in her devotion and love for her family. As her child, there was never a day we didn’t know we were loved. Her family was her source of incredible pride, joy and comfort. Joan raised her siblings before having a family of her own. She was predeceased by her parents and her beloved siblings; brother, Bob and sister, Liz. She is survived by two beloved siblings; brother, Don (Carole) LaPorte and sister, Doreen (Tom) Baldock. Her cherished children; Karson (DeSilva) James, Dean (Jill) DeSilva, Gordon (Kelly) DeSilva and David (MaryKaye) DeSilva. Her loving Grandchildren are: Mannon (Jordon) Loucks, Rachel James and Orrin James; Jamie (Rich) Goldberg, Jackie Morgan and Lonnie Morgan; Tyrel (Dacy) DeSilva, Lindsay (Jehrel) Andal, Logan, Levi, Josh, Hannah and Ally DeSilva; Matthew (Tanya) DeSilva, Zack DeSilva and Steven DeSilva; and many much-loved great-grandchildren. Special Nieces and Nephews include: The Duxbury Crew of Don Jr, Michelle, Shawn and Todd; Maribeth and Theresa; Steven; Ryan, Sabrina (Joma) and their twins. Joanie was a voracious reader who loved doing jigsaw puzzles (often doing 2 puzzles at once on opposite ends of her table) and doing crossword puzzles in ink. She had over 300 puzzles and 6 huge bookcases filled with books that were her treasures. She loved feeding and watching the birds; a love that began when she rescued a Saw-Whet owl in the 1960s. In her retirement she loved to travel to spend time with her boys in CA, MT and NY, being both dish fairy and laundry fairy! In keeping with Joan’s wishes there will be no services. Instead, please feel free to read a book or do a jigsaw puzzle in her memory. If you’re looking for suggestions, she loved the Outlander series before it was cool! In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA, 18901 or the Audubon Society, ATTN: Donations, 225 Varick Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10014 in her memory. Mom, Joanie, G’ma, Grandma D, Grandma, Aunt Joan; you will be loved and missed every day. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Arrangements have been entrusted to the Courtney Funeral Home, Walton, New York. To leave a message of hope and comfort for Joan’s family, please visit www.courtneyfh.com