Obituary of Joan S. Shipley

CHESTERTOWN: Joan S. (Frost) Shipley, 90, of Chestertown, NY, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2025, with her husband Billy, daughter Joy, daughter Jill, grandson Jaike and granddaughter Kambyr and also Tyler by her side.  They held her hand as she walked to meet her Savior, Jesus Christ in heaven.

Joan was born on December 15, 1934, to the late Sarah Frost at Uniontown Hospital in Pennsylvania. After graduating from Uniontown High School, she immediately began her career, working as a secretary and switchboard operator for Union Supply Company.

At the age of 19, Joan met William “Billy” Shipley at church. Billy knew he found his forever love.  He told Joan, “I’m going to marry you“ and she just smiled!  After three years of courtship, Billy kept his promise to marry her and they wed on May 15, 1956. They would have celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary this year.

Standing before the God of Creation and the most loved woman, Joan, Billy solemnly spoke his vows promising to take care of her for a lifetime, including better or worse, richer or poorer, through sickness and health…until death.  Billy kept those wedding vows.  He has loved Joan beyond any words.  Billy lifted his head, praying and clinging to God while enduring and caring for Joan through her illness. It was the most difficult and extreme challenge he had ever had to do, but Billy continued to cherish and honor Joan even NOW. 

Billy, being a humble HERO. He is a man unlike any other, kissed her sweet face, and agreed with Jesus to be “temporarily apart”, but KNOWINGLY without doubt, that Joan and he would be TOGETHER AGAIN for eternity. Billy and Joan shared a truly extraordinary love story. (Billy affectionately calling her ‘my Jodi girl’.)

In the late 1950s, Billy and Joan relocated their family to New York for work. In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, Joan was completely devoted to God and served as a Sunday school teacher at Clove Valley Alliance Church in LaGrangeville. Joan's life mission was to be the best wife, mother, grandmother, and friend she could be—and she fulfilled that mission wholeheartedly.

Joan had a deep love for her Savior, Jesus Christ, and her greatest passion was sharing His love and how to have a personal relationship with Him. She wanted all to know Him as she did.

John 3:16: 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.'

One of Joan’s nieces shared, 'Joan was truly an angel on earth, and now she has gained her wings.'

Joan was predeceased by her mother, Sarah Frost, and her stepfather, Leo Girod, which she considered as her biological father; mother-in-law Leona Mowery; father-in-law Robert Mowery; brother-in-law, Gene Shipley; mother-in-law Dorothy Shipley; father-in-law Giles Shipley; sister Darlene (Bruce) Trenchard which were all her core family.

Left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband, Billy Shipley; daughter Joy Shipley including her 6 children - Jefferson Fuller, Kandi (Matti) Plumley, Cherry (Vern) Brinson, Brittany (Travis) Zehr, Autumn (Scott) McMillan, and Shane Geidel and “adopted grandson” Jacob Bardin; and daughter Jill (Robert “Jake”) Brady, along with their children Jaike Brady “adopted grandson” Tyler Brown, and Kambyr Brady. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Theigen and Tienzen Plumley, Brazyn Geidel, Elliviana and Braxton McMillan; sisters-in-law Brenda (Wade) Friend and Jan Wolverton; brothers-in-law Bobby (Jeanie) Mowery and Giles Shipley; and several cherished nieces and nephews.

Joan’s family can not express enough how much they appreciate and love the County Nurse Lisa Morton and GAHA Aide, Stephanie Wood.  They were chosen by God for our family and have been with us for over a decade. Their hearts are full of compassion and love, this is clearly not just a job for them.  They go above and beyond, they have cried and laughed with us and have become our best friends…they are FAMILY!

Following Joan’s wishes, a celebration of her life will be held at her home on Sunday, March 2, 2025, from 10 AM to 5 PM at 263 Knapp Hill Road, Chestertown, NY. All are invited to share good food and fond memories and stories of Joan.  Pastor Marcus Eaton will be sharing the good news of Jesus Christ at 1pm.

Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online condolences and guest book.