She was born May 5, 1938, in East Moriches, NY the daughter of Percy and Emily (Fechtmann) Mather. After graduating from High School Joan went on to attend Brown’s Business School, where she studied bookkeeping and short hand.
On May 30, 1957 she married the love of her life, Raymond Young.
For many years she worked as a store-owner in New York. The name of her store was “Tic-Tac-Toys” which sold children’s clothing and toys. Later in life she worked for Goodnow’s Department Store in Keene, as their Bookkeeper. Her organization and need for things to be just so, made her perfect for this career: she kept her books to the penny. She also worked for several years at the Woodward Home on Court St in Keene, where she was able to build relationship with those who lived and worked there: she worked in the kitchen as a cook.
Her faith was something that Joan felt very strongly about. She was a lay-minister in the Methodist church and would often lead services in churches in the smaller, outlying towns around Keene. She was blessed with musical talent and was the organist in the churches that she attended from the time she was in middle school. The last church which she played for was Grace Methodist Church on Court St. in Keene.
She shared her passion for music with her children and grandchildren and would spend time teaching them how to play the piano. There was nothing that brought her greater joy than being “Nana”. She loved to spend time with her family. They will miss her good nature, her hugs and warm sense of humor.
Joan enjoyed being a part of the community at the Wright Estate in Keene, where she was able to build relationships with her neighbors and friends. She would often go for walks through the neighborhood or sit quietly on her patio, reading a good book. She also spent a lot of time at the Keene Library. She loved to talk on the phone with Jane and Susan.
She is survived by her husband, Raymond Young of Keene, NH; her son, Kevin Young and his wife Tracy of Keene; her daughters, Susan Cerce and her husband Donald of Shirley, NY and Kim-Eileen LaCoste and her husband Scott of Keene; grandchildren, Noah, Fiona, Ethan, Dylan, Charlotte, Kristin, Kayla, Jay and Laura-Lynn; sisters, June Simpson and her husband R.E. of West Virginia, Jane Armbrust of PA and Janice Gordon and her husband Timothy of MA; her brother-in-law, Lloyd Epperly of VA and several nieces, nephews and extended family members. She is predeceased by her sister, Joyce Epperly; her sister-in-law, Ruth Hastings and her husband Bill; and her brother-in-law, Ralph Armbrust.
In keeping with Joan’s wishes, her family will remember her with private graveside services which will be held in the Spring in the Monadnock View Cemetery, Park Ave, Keene, NH. There will be no public calling hours.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Home Health Care and Community Services, PO Box 564 Keene, NH. 03431.
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