Joanne D. Van Slyke

Joanne Durland Van Slyke, age 84, of Stone Circle, Watertown, formerly of Liberty, NY, passed away Thursday morning, October 4, 2012, at her home.

She was born in Washington DC and graduated as valedictorian from Middletown High School. She graduated from St. Lawrence University Magna Cum Laude, and received her Masters in Education from SUNY at Oneonta, NY.

She taught in Liberty Elementary School for over 23 years. Joanne served as secretary and later as President of the Liberty Public Library and was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Monticello, NY. She enjoyed traveling with the Sullivan County Art Society and trips to the western US.

In 2004 she moved to a cottage at Ives Hill Retirement Center. Her great pleasure was reading and she belonged to the Avid Readers discussion group.

Mrs. Van Slyke is survived by her two sons, Peter D. Van Slyke and wife, Bonnie, Far Hills, NJ and Thomas A. Van Slyke and his partner, Mary Schneider, Ketchum, ID; her daughter, Tryntje Van Slyke and her husband, Timothy East, Hailey, ID; two grandchildren, Sarah Plank and husband, Ethan, and Rebecca Nohra and husband, Dany; her great grandson, Tanner Plank; and her sister, Dorothy Durland Robinson, Watertown. Her husband, Robert H. Van Slyke, died before her.

The family will receive friends at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown, on Saturday, October 6, from 11AM - 1PM.

In lieu of flowers donations in Joanne's memory may be made to St. Lawrence University, 23 Romoda Dr., Canton, NY 13617, Foundation Fighting Blindness, PO Box 17279, Baltimore, MD 21297, or Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601.

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