Joanne D. Van Slyke
Retired Teacher, 84

Joanne D. Van Slyke of Stone Circle, Watertown, formerly of Liberty, NY, passed away Thursday morning, October 4, 2012, at her home. She was 84.
She was born in Washington, DC, and graduated as valedictorian from Middletown High School. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. Lawrence University, and received her Master’s in Education from SUNY at Oneonta, NY.
She taught in Liberty Elementary School for over 23 years. Joanne served as secretary and later as president of the Liberty Public Library, and was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Monticello, NY. She enjoyed traveling with the Sullivan County Art Society and trips to the western U.S.
In 2004, she moved to a cottage at Ives Hill Retirement Center. Her great pleasure was reading and she belonged to the Avid Readers discussion group.
Mrs. Van Slyke is survived by her two sons, Peter D. Van Slyke and wife, Bonnie, Far Hills, NJ, and Thomas A. Van Slyke and his partner, Mary Schneider, Ketchum, ID; her daughter, Tryntje Van Slyke and her husband, Timothy East, Hailey, ID; two grandchildren, Sarah Plank and husband, Ethan, and Rebecca Nohra and husband, Dany; her great-grandson, Tanner Plank; and her sister, Dorothy Robinson, Watertown.
Her husband, Robert H. Van Slyke, predeceased her.
The family will receive friends and callers at Cracolici’s Restaurant at Sullivan County Golf Course, Rte.52, Liberty on Saturday, October 13, from 2-4 p.m.
Burial in Wallkill Cemetery, Orange County, will be at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joanne’s memory may be made to St. Lawrence University, 23 Romoda Dr., Canton, NY 13617; Foundation Fighting Blindness, P.O. Box 17279, Baltimore, MD 21297; or Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601.