Joan M. Nantista

Joan M. Nantista 86, of Colonie, passed away on Friday, March 2, 2012, after a brief illness.

Born in Albany, NY on November 30th, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Mary (Rush) Sivers and Delmar A. Sivers. Joan was predeceased by her beloved husband, Joseph J. Nantista Sr. in 1968.

Joan graduated from the Academy of the Holy Names and Albany Business College spending most of her life as a homemaker raising her family. She looked forward each year to summer and spending time at her cottage at Hedges Lake. Joan was known by family and friends for her famous coffee cake.

Joan was a loving mother and is survived by her eight children; Mary Ann Chiera (Mike) of Colonie; Colleen Murphy of Troy; Maureen Nantista Dowen (John) of Slingerlands; Joanne Nantista of Colonie; Ellen Nantista of Colonie; Joseph J. Nantista Jr. (Jeanne) of Colonie; Nita McLaughlin of Woolwich Township, NJ; and Anthony Nantista (Kim) of Niskayuna. Also surviving are her eleven grand children: John, Lea, and Michael Conaway; John Murphy; Christa Flaherty; Andrew Dowen; Joe Nantista III; Katie, Erin, Megan and Devin McLaughlin; 16 great-grand children as well as her devoted canine companion, Gretta. She was predeceased by her son-in-law Bud Murphy.

The family would like to express a heartfelt Thank-you to the entire staff at Albany Medical Center, Floor C-2, for their wonderful care given to their mother and grandmother.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday,March 9, 2012 at 10:00 am at Christ Our Light Catholic Church, 1 Maria Drive, Loudonville. Calling hours will be Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at New Comer Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie. Interment will be in Our Lady of Angles Cemetery in Colonie. Memorial contributions may be made to Albany Medical Center Hospital, 45 New Scotland Ave., Albany NY 12208 or ASPCA Gift Processing Center, PO Box 96929, Washington, DC 2007-7127 in memory of Joan M. Nantista.