Joan Maher Gaspard, a retired teacher, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on February 24, 2018, at the Halifax Hospice Center in Ormond Beach, FL surrounded by family. She was born on May 28, 1926, to Hugh F. Maher and Catherine Ferguson Maher of Washingtonville, NY, where she grew up with her younger brother, Hugh J. Maher. After graduating from Washingtonville High School, Joan attended the College of St. Elizabeth, in Convent Station, NJ.
She graduated in 1947 with a B.S. degree in Home Economics (Family and Consumer Science) and Education. She also did graduate work in elementary education, child development and marriage and family at State University New York at New Paltz as well as Buffalo and University of Massachusetts. In the fall of 1947, Joan began teaching Home Economics at Roeliff Jansen Central School in Hillsdale, NY where she met her husband, Joseph C. Gaspard, Sr., who was teaching and coaching there. Joan and Joe were married at the old St. Mary’s Church in Washingtonville, NY on June 24, 1950. After living in Amenia, NY and Chester, NY where her husband Joe, taught and coached, they moved to Newburgh, NY where they lived for 26 years and where their children grew up.
Joan and Joe both taught in the Greater Newburgh School System before retiring to Myrtle Beach, SC where they had 18 happy years and made many friends. While in Myrtle Beach, Joan was active in the Newcomers Club, Mercy Hospice, St. Andrew’s Catholic Church and sang with the Barbershop Belles. She also obtained her SC Real Estate License. In 2001 they moved to Newark, DE to be near family. Two years ago Joan and Joe moved to Holly Hill, FL and resided at Bishops Glen. Joan is survived by her husband, Joseph, Sr., two sons: J. C. Gaspard, Jr. and his wife Mary; John T. Gaspard, Sr. and his wife, Jean; three daughters: Michelle Henny and her husband Marinus (Nick) Henny; Catherine Gaspard; Amelia Clark and her husband, Craig Clark, eleven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, a brother, Hugh J. Maher, and his wife, Mary.
In addition to her parents, Joan is predeceased by an infant brother, Stuart Francis Maher, an infant son, Thomas, a step-sister Jane Cahill, and step-father, Thomas Merton Cahill. A mass of Christian Celebration will be held at St. Mary’s Church in Washingtonville, NY at a future date. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Washingtonville, NY. In lieu of flowers, please say a special prayer for Joan and a thank you prayer for your parents and family as well as your favorite teachers.
