Evelyn Joan Lewis

Evelyn Joan (Swackhamer) Lewis died peacefully at her residence on January 25, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Joan was truly the cornerstone of her ever-growing family.

Born on August 30, 1934, in Crescent New York, Joan met the love of her life, Robert S. Lewis, at Dave Denny's Barn, Latham New York, during a square dance in 1953.

Bob and Joan purchased the home of Bob's mother in Watervliet where they raised their four children. This is the home in which they spent the remainder of their lives making precious memories.

Once Joan's children were older, she found employment at Montgomery Wards in Menands, New York, from 1969-1983. Joan decided to complete her education and obtained her GED in 1984, showing determination and dedication. She then found employment at the firm of Albright - Kresge from 1986 until her retirement 1997. Never one to stay idle (unless to watch her beloved New York Yankees, soap operas, or the Hallmark station, as well as reading the NY Post), Joan volunteered her time to several organizations such as the Watervliet Library and the Watervliet Seniors Center. She also made sure she prayed the rosary every day for a long list of family and friends.

No doubt Joan's greatest accomplishment was successfully raising her family on modest means. What was missing in tangible assets was made up tenfold with the deep love and support she provided each of her children. Anyone would be hard pressed to find a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother that was more supportive of each of her children. As Joan's family grew, so did her love for her extended family, Anyone visiting Joan's home could readily determine this by the endless number of pictures of her family and friends throughout her home that exemplified this fact in a shrine-like fashion.

Her quiet love and respect she had for her friends, especially Ginny Jakubics, was exemplified in her unselfish time she would offer all of them in spite of her own needs.

Joan led an exemplary life that everyone can learn from and will be missed greatly. A huge void has been placed on all her family and friends that will be impossible to fill.

Joan was predeceased by her parents, Evelyn (Saupaugh) and Eugene Swackhamer, and her brother Eugene (& Lee) Swackhamer and sister Jean (Swackhamer) Stefanowicz. Joan lovingly leaves behind her daughter Deborah (Lewis) Stark (David), daughter Nancy (Lewis) D'Attilio (Mark), son Robert, Jr. (Lisa) and Kevin Lewis, along with grandchildren Amanda D'Attilio Gray (Donald), Daniel D'Attilio, Jordan Bailey (Aaron), Zachary Lewis, great grandchildren Grayson, Madeline and Clara Bailey, and Ella Gray. She also leaves behind her beloved best friend of over 70 years, Ginny Jakubics.

Also left behind are her siblings Kenneth Prescott, Yvonne (Prescott) Davis (Walter), and Billy Prescott (Kathy), as well as many special nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Joan on February 3rd at 10am in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Corner of 25th Street and 7th Avenue, Watervliet. A calling hour will precede the mass from 9-10 am. Interment will immediately follow in Memory Gardens, Colonie.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Meals on Wheels and Hospice, for which we are eternally grateful to each of these organizations for their compassion and assistance during Joan's final day.