GUILDERLAND — Joan Mastrianni died peacefully at home on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, surrounded by love. She was 92.

Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, she was the eldest of four born to Mary and Joseph Gallagher.

“Joan cherished and celebrated her Irish roots and traditions with her brothers, Jerome, John, and Christopher,” her family wrote in a tribute.

“After graduating from Pittsfield High School, she attended Union University School of Nursing, a division of Albany Medical College, graduating in 1953. While working as a nurse at Albany Medical Center, Joan met the love of her life, Dr. Anthony Mastrianni, to whom she was married for 64 years.

“Married in 1956, the couple moved to Washington where Tony was stationed in the United States Air Force, and the first two of their six daughters were born. After moving back to the Albany area, they welcomed four more daughters. They moved to their home in Guilderland in 1969, where they lived for 55 action-packed years.

“Joan was a supportive partner to Tony as he established Schoolhouse Road Pediatrics, which is still thriving today. Joan was a devoted mother and homemaker and enjoyed having a house full of family and friends. She instilled the importance of education and self-sufficiency in her children.

“Joan had a profound appreciation of nature and had a way of bringing others along on journeys with her. Whether it was gardening, bird-watching, berry-picking, or a walk around Spring Lake, her ‘Happy Place.’

“She had a love for learning as well as sharing her knowledge. Other passions included golf and tennis at Albany Country Club and Olde Hickory in Fort Myers, Florida, bridge, swimming, skiing, flower-arranging, and the arts.

“Joan was an avid reader right up to the very end of her life. She had a remarkable memory and could recite birthdays, addresses, and phone numbers of her many friends and family members.

“Joan had beautiful penmanship and corresponded through the lost art of letter-writing and thank-you notes. Joan volunteered in many organizations over the years as Girl Scout leader, religion teacher, Albany Garden Club, Ladies Auxiliary, Ladies of Charity, St. Peter’s Hospital, and more.

“Joan and Tony were devoted parishioners of Christ the King Church in Guilderland, as well as St. John XXIII in Fort Myers, Florida. They enjoyed many fabulous trips abroad to Greece, Italy, and Ireland with their special group of friends. 

“Joan’s Irish eyes always shone the brightest when she was with her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her legacy lives on with her daughters, Elizabeth Mastrianni (Frank Ralbovsky), Mary Jean (Michael) Ciechoski, Kathleen (Daniel) Powers, Marguerite (Robert) Fuller, Patricia (Dale) Desnoyers, and Christine Mastrianni Fay.

“She was blessed with 14 loving grandchildren: Kathleen and Thomas Perry (Brittany Adam), Jennifer Petrick and great-grandsons Vincent and Arlo, Justin Ciechoski, Carolyn Powers, (Sam Gilford) and great-grandson Rowan, Anthony Powers (Cady), and Colleen Powers, Christina Fuller, Zachary and Connor McMahon, Bryan (Ellen Studer), Olivia Joan, Emmett, and Regina Fay.  

“Joan and her family are especially grateful to the many friends who supported and loved her over the years, and especially the Kingsway Home Care Services as well as Saint Peter’s Hospice, which provided compassionate and loving care. 

“We miss Joan, with all our hearts, and know that she is at peace with Tony. 

“‘And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.’”

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A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 8, at 11 a.m. in Christ the King Church at 20 Sumter Ave. in Guilderland. Family and friends may visit her family prior to the Mass from 9 to 11 a.m. in the church.

Interment will immediately follow the Mass in St. Paul’s Cemetery in Mechanicville. For those who like to virtually attend, the service will be live streamed at www.ctkparishny.org.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Guilderland Food Pantry, 4 Charles Blvd, Guilderland, NY 12084 or to the Guilderland Public Library,2228 Western Ave, Guilderland, NY 12084.