Joan Seely Blow, aged 87, passed away on November 6, 2021, in Palm Coast, Florida. She was born on January 18th, 1934 in Elizabethtown, New York to James and Bertha Seely. Joan spent her childhood in Elizabethtown, graduating from high school and then attended The College of St. Rose College in Albany, NY where she earned a degree in Business. She then proceeded with her Master’s degree in Business Administration from the State University of New York. Upon graduating she pursued a lifelong career as a high school teacher. She would start her teaching career at Dover Plains High School and then continued educating and inspiring students at Pawling High School. After 35 years of teaching business, accounting, typing, and driver’s education she retired in 1988.
She met her first husband, Don Herring, in Amenia, New York where they would spend the next 20 years together, raising their sons Donald and Jimmy. Joan loved Amenia and she and her family had lasting impacts on the town. Jimmy passed away in 1973 from childhood cancer. While difficult, Joan lived the rest of her days adoring the memory of Jimmy and loving her remaining son, Donald.
After her first husband’s death Joan met the second love of her life, Carl Blow. They were married in 1983 and enjoyed spending time with their combined family of 11 children, who later blessed them with 21 Grandchildren and 26 Great Grandchildren. Joan is survived by her husband, Carl Blow of Palm Coast, Florida and her children, Don Herring (Carol) of Cornelius, NC, Roger (Eileen) Blow of Pickens, SC, Sister Debbie Blow of Plattsburgh, NY, Dianne (Danny) Rabideau of Mooers Forks, NY, Karen (the late Chris) King of Palm Coast, Fl, Terry (Amber Herron) Blow of Debary, Fl , Kathy (Bernie) Whalen of Plattsburgh, NY, Laurie (Jim) Fezette of West Chazy, NY, Ricky (Missy) Blow of Palm Coast, Fl, Tim (Laura) Blow of Altamont, NY, and Tammy Blow of Palm Coast, Fl. In addition, Joan held a special place in her heart for her grandchildren –Allison Herring of Charlotte, NC, Chris (Emily) Herring of Salisbury, NC, and her great grandson, Jase and predeceased, great granddaughter, Chloe King.
She loved spending as much time as possible with her family, attending special events in their lives. Joan also was dedicated to helping others. She touched so many students during and after her years of teaching and continued to receive letters of thanks from former students even as recent as this past year. She always treasured those notes and kept them to look at and share with others.
She volunteered wherever she lived. In New York she volunteered at the Senior Center and, in Florida, she spent years volunteering at the hospital in Palm Coast, receiving recognition and gratitude from those she worked with. In recent years she loved getting together with friends and held Bible Study at her house, where she would host while Carl parked everyone’s cars. Playing Bingo and other games with friends was something she looked forward to as well and enjoyed spending time laughing and talking with those she held in close friendship.
In addition to Carl, who cared for her and helped her in any way possible, she had so many people that helped her in her later years. In particular, Jackie Navas and her family provided wonderful assistance and care for Joan –something she was deeply grateful for.
Services to celebrate Joan’s life will be held Saturday, November 13th at 2pm at Palm Coast Bible Church, 94 Whiteview Parkway, Palm Coast, Florida. A reception at the church will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Road, Tampa, Florida 33607 and the Joan Blow Herring Scholarship, Pawling High School, 30 Wagner Drive, Pawling, NY 12564
