Leith, Joan M.

ALBANY- Joan M (Sullivan) Leith, 77, died Thursday, August 11, 2016 at Albany Medical Center.Born in Binghamton, and raised in Hallstead, PA she was the daughter of Leo and Mary (Kelly) Sullivan. Joan graduated from Blue Ridge High School as Class Valedictorian and also from East Stroudsburg University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in english.She taught at the West Junior Middle School in Binghamton and also served as youth program director at the YWCA.She later moved to Albany and worked for the NYS Dept. of Taxation and Finance for many years.

Joan had a strong, Irish spirit. She had a great interest in Democratic Party politics and loved music from the big band and swing era. She especially appreciated the musical phrasing of Frank Sinatra and enjoyed attending music performances and plays. She was most recently a Communicant of the Parish of Mater Christi.

Joan was predeceased by her husband John A. Leith. She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth (Timothy) Berry; Grandchildren Jack, Caroline, Kathleen, Timothy and Robert Berry; her brother Patrick (Connie) Sullivan of Lancaster, PA and sister Rosemary (Fred) Farrell of Hallstead, PA; also many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited and may visit with her family on Monday, August 15, 2016 from 4-7 p.m. in the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, Inc., 490 Delaware Ave. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at 10:15 a.m. from the funeral home thence to The Parish of Mater Christi, where a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m..

A graveside service and burial will be held Saturday, August 20, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Lawrence Cemetery, Great Bend, PA.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send donations to Homeless and Travelers Aid Society, for the benefit of their weekend food backpack program. Checks made payable to HATAS, (with backpack on memo line), 138 Central Ave., Albany, NY 12206.