Joan C. Howe

GUILDERLAND – Joan C. Howe of Guilderland, passed away on Tuesday, April 06, 2010, at her home, after a long and courageous battle with liver cancer. Joan was born in Albany on December 19, 1941 to Ruth N. and Lloyd E. Carpenter. She was educated in the Albany school system and received her bachelor's degree from Russell Sage College and a master's degree in library science from the University of Albany. Joan was employed as a librarian for 37 years by the New York State Library. She was a long time member of Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church in Guilderland and served them in many capacities. These included elder, deacon, clerk of session, member of the chancel choir and briefly, director of the hand bell choir. Joan helped organize the Lord's Acre Auction, Grand Garage Sale, Brooks Barbecue and other community activities. She volunteered with the Guilderland Inter-Faith Council, Food Pantry and Meals-on-Wheels. In addition to her husband, Edward, survivors include her mother, Ruth Carpenter; son Scott Hoose and his partner Megan Jesco; stepdaughter Jill (Richard) Purcell; sisters Kathleen (Philip) Worley, Linda (Lorenz) Worden, Mary Ellen (George) McCranie; and brother Nelson (Mary Ellen) Carpenter; grandchildren Chloe, Elijah, Jordan and Samantha and several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Friday, April 9th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at New Comer-Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave). A Memorial Service celebrating Joan's life will be held on Saturday, April 10th at 10:30 a.m. at Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church, 2291 Western Ave., Guilderland. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family in Memory's Garden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan's memory to Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church or to Dr. Andrew Zhu's Liver Cancer Research Fund, c/o Massachusetts General Hospital, Development Office, Suite 600, 165 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02114.