Joan Meta Shostak

Joan was born an only child in Tarrytown New York. A bright student possessing a lifelong love of learning, she achieved her BSc. and MA in childhood education from Columbia University Teachers College. She taught kindergarten for 16 years in New York State and New Hampshire.

After her classroom teaching years, she became manager of Creative Playthings at the Rockefeller Center retail shop, worked in marketing at The General Learning Corporation Early Learning Division, became a childhood specialist in the Newark Pre-School Council (Head Start), and Co-Director of the Parent-Toddler Center in Pearl River N.Y.

Joan was the second wife of Jerome (Jerry) Shostak. They were married at White Plains, New York in 1971. Joan and Jerry retired to Cape Cod in 1986 and became involved in their new community enthusiastically. Together they attended The First Congregational Church of Yarmouth and The Cape Cod Synagogue in Hyannis. Joan developed her passion for art in retirement, painting local historical houses and landscapes. Jerry and Joan spent winters in Juno Beach Florida and enjoyed international travels.

Following the death of her husband in 1996 after 25 years of marriage, Joan carried on in widowhood serving Cape Cod in a variety of roles. She served as Chairwoman of the Educational Foundation of Dennis-Yarmouth, a foundation established by her late husband in 1991. She served on the Early Childhood Advisory Board of the Cape Cod Regional Tech High School as a senior judge for many years.

Joan was a member of the Cape Cod Chapter of the American Association of Women, a Board Member of the Yarmouth Art Guild, a juried member of The Cape Cod Art Center, member of The Yarmouth Garden Club, member of the Culture Center of Cape Cod, and a long-standing member of The First Congregational Church of Yarmouth.

Joan is survived by step-sons Lee Shostak (Gillian), Ray Shostak (Gill), God-Son David Greiner, their families, and Joan’s community of friends.

A Celebration of Life for Joan will be held at The First Congregational Church of Yarmouth at a later date. For further information contact The Reverend Will Vaus, First Congregational Church of Yarmouth at (508) 362-6977.

In lieu of flowers, a donation made to a Cape Cod charity of your choice in honour of Joan Shostak will be gratefully appreciated.