Obituary of Joan P. Burch

North Creek: Joan P. Burch, 77, of Fairview Avenue, slipped away from us peacefully to her heavenly reward, Thursday, November 15, 2018 at her home. Born July 7, 1941 in North Creek, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Celina (Waterston) Pierson. Following her graduation from Johnsburg Central School, Joan attended Mildred Elley Business School in Albany while working at the Glens Falls Country Club. She began her working career at the newly opened Gore Mountain Ski Center before becoming Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools in Johnsburg, which is where she first met Lloyd, and eventually the couple wed on November 23, 1968 at St. James Church in North Creek. After the birth of their first child, Joan became a stay at home mother throughout the formative years of her children’s development, making many lasting memories with her family with her amazing birthday cakes, Halloween costumes, and milestone gifts. She was a lifelong member and communicant of St. James RC Church, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, Visiting Minister to the homebound, along with organizing the flower beautification of the altar during the summer months, serving post service coffee, and always willing to graciously lend a helping hand to those in need. Joan returned to JCS as a Teacher’s Aid in 1983 and retired as a Teaching Assistant in the elementary library in 2004. She was an extremely community minded woman and faithfully worked on costumes for the many JCS musicals (with her trusty glue gun), she was a founding mother and board member of the Cheerful Cricket Nursery School, worked with the play group at the Outreach Center, volunteered for the WIC program once a month at the North Creek Firehouse, and orchestrated the monthly retired JCS employee luncheon. In the last two years, she was particularly pleased to have helped organize and bring to fruition the “Waterston Family Reunion” in North Creek in the summer of 2017 and “The Burch Get-Together” in Maine in the summer of 2018. She loved crafting, craft fairs, garage sales, and camping, but her greatest pleasures were her family and friends and was most especially proud of her grandchildren, attending their many activities. She embraced family traditions and her seasonal decorating made her especially happy. Joan was a selfless person who never wished to be in the spotlight and made all those around her and associated with her better simply by her presence. Besides her parents, she is predeceased by her sister -in-law Nancy Pierson and several Aunts and Uncles. She is survived by her beloved husband of 50 years, Lloyd Burch of North Creek; her children, Deanna and Michael Sharp of Wevertown, NY. Tina and Scott Schmidt of Hurricane WV. Derek Burch and Hillery Allen of Ballston Lake, NY; grandchildren, Lexi, Hannah and Connor Sharp, Tahya and Kellon Schmidt; siblings, Thomas Pierson and Ann Deppe, Douglas & Mary Alice Pierson, Shirley and Ralph Coon, Donald and Mary Lou Pierson; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. Friends may call on Joan’s family from 3 to 6 pm, Monday, November 19, 2018 at the Alexander Funeral Home, 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am, Tuesday, at St. James RC Church, Main St., North Creek with Fr. John O’Kane, officiating. Rite of Committal will follow in St. James Cemetery, North Creek. In lieu of flowers, please do something kind for someone in memory of Joan. Pay it forward! Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book, condolences, and directions.