Joan T. Forster

GUILDERLAND- Joan Forster departed this life on July 3, 2016, leaving behind the man of her world. She passed away at her residence, having celebrated her 62nd wedding anniversary last week.

Born October 30, 1931, Joan was the daughter of Martin and Winifred Toolan, of Ireland and Albany. She spent her entire life in the greater Albany area, including the past 55 years in Guilderland. With husband Bob, she raised five children: Tom (Nancy, Averill Park), Danny (who predeceased her), Mike (Lynne, Richmond, Virginia), Nancy Forster-Holt (Steve Holt, Orono, Maine) and Brian (Albany). She also proudly claimed ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren (with one more on the way).

In addition to her parents and son, Joan was predeceased by her sisters; Anna and Mary. Her surviving siblings are Buddy Toolan, Patsy (Joe) Donohue and Sally Bradley.
Joan grew up in Saint Patrick's parish, in Albany, and graduated from Vincentian Institute, where her shortcomings on the basketball court were more than outweighed by her success in building lifelong friendships. That propensity continued throughout her adult life where everyone she met was a friend. As a result she wound up in groups such as the neighborhood's Turnpikers Club and her beloved weekly bridge club.
The wife of a coach, she sat through hundreds of high school football games, yet was always puzzled by the sport.
She worked for Travelers Insurance and was a long-time employee of the Fenton and Young Law Office, but was a longer-time devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, and skilled homemaker. She was a long-time parishioner of Christ the King Catholic Church in Guilderland.
Joan loved her family, enjoyed all things Irish and had a fondness for the ponies and the slots! It is hoped Saint Peter can accommodate her tastes.

Visitation for friends of Joan and the family will be held at New Comer Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205 on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 from 4:00-7:00pm. A mass of Christian burial will be held at Christ the King Church, 20 Sumter Ave, Albany, NY 12203 on Thursday, July 7, 2016 at 10:00am. Burial will be held at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Colonie, NY following the funeral mass.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Joan's name to NE Association of the Blind, 301 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12206, and Community Hospice of Albany, 310 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208.