Obituary, Joan B. Governale

 

Joan B. Governale (83) of Pawling, NY passed away peacefully on May 16th, 2017 in Fort Myers FL.

Joan was born in New York, NY to Marshall W. Bexley and Anna Ragiel Bexley on August 3, 1933.  She married her beloved husband, Joseph A. Governale on May 24, 1959 at Sacred Heart Church in New York, NY. She loved spending her many summers on Whaley Lake (Holmes, NY) before making it her permanent residence in 1965.  Joan and Joe purchased a home in Pawling NY in 1969, where she raised her four children. In 2002 they purchased a permanent home in Fort Myers, FL where they spent their winters.

Joan is survived by her brother, Robert J. Bexley and his wife Joan of Holmes, NY, her loving children, Lois J. Rimany and her husband, Robert of Cape Coral FL, Janice L. Maerling and her husband, Robert of Pawling NY, Joseph R. Governale and his wife, Edna of Pawling NY, Thomas M. Governale of Pawling NY, ten Grandchildren, and four Great Grandchildren.

A loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Joan loved spending time with family and friends, all of which loved her quick wit and sense of humor.  Joan also enjoyed playing golf, reading, and relaxing outside while doing her many crossword puzzles. She will be greatly missed by all.

Joan is preceded in death by her loving husband, Joseph A. Governale, her parents, Marshall and Anna Ragiel Bexley, her sister, Dorothy Bexley Arena, and her nephew, Stephen J. Arena.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 19th at Horn & Thomes, Inc. Funeral Home, 83 East Main St., Pawling NY from 4:00pm – 8:00pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church on Saturday, May 20th at 10:00am.

Joan always said “charity begins at home”, therefore in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to someone you know who needs it most.

For directions, or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.hornandthomesfuneralhome.com.

Author: Harlem Valley News