ALBANY Joan D. Bucci Pierce passed peacefully in the comfort of her home on April 9, 2017. Joan was blessed with love and longevity during her lifetime. Mom was 103 years old. Mom was born on March 8, 1914, right here in Albany to a large and close knit Italian family. Mom was the third youngest of the fourteen children of the late Joseph and Philomena (Ferrera) Bucci. Even with such a very large family, all of mom’s siblings with the exception of two, lived along with their spouses right here in the immediate Capital District throughout their lives. Mom received her education from the Albany school district. In her earlier years, Mom held a couple of holdover jobs, until her dream of working for the New York Telephone Co. came true and she landed a job in Pawling, N.Y. working with her sister, Anne as a long distance operator. This was a job mom truly loved, operating the old time switchboard and making all those “important” connections for people. Then “true love” came into mom’s life when she met the man of her dreams, Edward L. Pierce Sr. and marriage soon followed in Albany in 1939, at the former St. Patrick’s Church. It was then that mom started her life long commitment of homemaker and mother, a task she was very proud of. Mom was a member for several years in the form Pi Kappa Nu Sorority and both mom and dad were life members of the Italian American Community Center where they shared many good times. Mom was preceded in death by her loving husband of 57 years, Edward L. Sr. in 1996; her daughter Philomena Ann Pierce Tobin in 1977; her parents, Joseph and Philomena Ferrera Bucci; her eight sisters, Mary Mantica, Florence (Flo) Cavanaugh, Mildred (Mil) Hanley, Anne Murphy, Lenora (Lee) Bucci, Lucille (Lou) Bucci, Ernestine (Ernie) Lewis, Francis (Chic) Hanrahan and her five brothers, Dr. James Bucci, John Bucci, Anthony Bucci, Thomas Bucci and Daniel Bucci. Mom is survived by her loving caregiver and daughter, Margaret L. (Peggy) Pierce of Loudonville. son Edward L. Pierce Jr (Stephany), son Paul D. (Eileen) Pierce of East Greenbush; her grandchildren, Susan, Gregory, Jessica, Rachel, Elizabeth, David and Alexander; great- grandchildren, Brittany, Taylor, Olivia, Chelsea, Pierce, Alena, Adeline, Jack, Emersyn, Cooper and Audrey. Mom is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand and great-nieces and nephews. We want to express great thanks and admiration to Alisha, Judy, Shirley, Pauline and Mary for your devoted assistance and love in helping with the care of mom and to keep her in the safety and comfort of the home mom loved. May God bless you all for a job well done. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Joan’s family, Wednesday, April 12, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Albany, with her Funeral Mass to follow at 9:30 a.m. The Rite of Committal will be held in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands immediately following the funeral Mass. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, kindly make a contribution to the ALS Center at St. Peter’s Hospital, 315 S. Manning Blvd. Albany, NY 12208 or to the Wildwood School at 2995 Curry Road, Schenectady, NY 12303.
