Joan A. Colvin, 91, passed away on Tuesday, June 6th, at the Cortland Guthrie Medical Center.
Born Thanksgiving Day (November 26, 1931) in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Alvine and Louis Werner. Upon graduating from Bayside High School, Joan attended Cortland State Teachers College where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Elementary Education. While attending college, she met and married Joseph H. Colvin. They were married for 58 years before Joe’s passing in April of 2010. Joan began her teaching career in Massapequa (NY) and later taught 3rd grade at Randall School from 1963 to 1986. She was loved and respected by all of her students and kept in touch with many of them.
Joan was the historian of the family, spending countless hours researching genealogy and preparing
scrapbooks for her grandchildren over the years. She enjoyed knitting Christmas stockings for every
family member as well as many friends. She also knit mittens for her entire classroom each winter. She was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Yankees and SU basketball games, in particular. However, her greatest joy came from watching her grandchildren’s participation in sports/activities. She never missed an event. Joan loved all types of music and growing up in NYC provided her many entertainment opportunities at Madison Square Garden and on Broadway. While she had many hobbies and interests, her family was what she cherished the most.
Joan is survived by three daughters, Kathy (Mike) Kumpf, Eileen (George) Griffith, and Patti (Mike)
Ondrako. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Sean Kumpf, Kelly Kumpf, Steve (Hannah) Kumpf, Jenelle (Andy) Dwyer, and Alex Ondrako, and eight great grandchildren all of whom fondly called her Nan. She was predeceased by her sister (Lois Ellis), and her brother (George Werner).
In honor of Joan’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or service.
