Joan VanDeMark

June 1, 1929 - May 10, 2016

Softly in the morning, you heard a gentle call, you took the hand God offered you and quietly left us all....Joan VanDeMark, 86, of Howell Street, Nichols, passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side on Tuesday morning, May 10, 2016. Joan was born on June 1, 1929 in Brooklyn, NY a daughter of Irish immigrants the late William Michael and Anna Marie (Duggan) Keniry. In 1955, she married Duane VanDeMark and in 1959 they moved to Nichols with their family. Proud of her Irish heritage, Joan loved America and celebrating all holidays with them. She was a member of the Nichols American Legion and the Nichols Lions Club. For many year, Joan was employed in the cafeteria at Tioga Central. She treasured the time spent with family and always looked forward to a visit to Tioga Downs, shopping, traveling and eating out with them. Her love of cooking, making jellies, and happy memories with her family will be greatly missed by them. Joan will be dearly missed by her children: Cindy and her husband Dick Perry of Barton; Duane and his wife Cora VanDeMark of Buford, GA, Doug VanDeMark of Nichols, Jim and his wife Val VanDeMark of Barton; Jane and her husband Mike Katchuk of Nichols; her special grandchildren: Keri, Dickie, Jackie and her husband Paul, Kirsten, Koressa, Kendrick, Kohl, Katrienne, Dani, Cole, Jill, Kendra and Alex. Her great grandchildren: Broderick, Kaitlyn, Ethan, Parker, Maylin and Jared; special nieces and nephews: William and Gail, Kevin and Patty, Colleen and Anthony, Bernice and their families; and a special friend Estelle Rogers. Joan was welcomed into heaven by her siblings: Margaret, Anna, Edward, Veronica, William and Gerald. Those we loved don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, so loved, so missed, so very dear. Family and friends are invited to attend a period of visitation on Friday, May 13, from 2pm to 4 pm at the Sutfin Funeral Chapel, 273 S. Main St., Nichols. A memorial service and celebration of Joan’s life well lived will be held at 4 pm with Deacon Michael Donovan. Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting our website at www.sutfinfuneralchapel.com Those who wish may kindly consider a memorial contribution to the Community Care Network of Nichols, PO Box 100, Nichols, NY 13812; Catholic Charities, PO Box 69, Nichols, NY 13812, The Nichols Emergency Squad, PO Box 334, or the Tioga Center Emergency Squad, PO Box 185, Tioga Center, NY 13845.