Joan Myra Wurtzel

The world lost one of its most creative, musical, and generous souls on Wednesday, June 17, 2015. Joan Catz-Wurtzel, affectionately known as “the hat lady,” has left an indelible mark in the hearts of the many she reached out to throughout her life.

Her exuberance was expressed in everything she did, from her joyful guitar sing-alongs that delighted children and adults alike, to her festive outfits and hats that were coordinated to each and every event she attended.

Her sharp wit and intelligence manifested itself through her song parodies, jokes, unmatched skill at Boggle and Scrabble, and her many academic pursuits. She is a proud adult graduate of both Suffolk Community College and Stony Brook University and was truly a life long learner, attending many classes, lectures and programs at her favorite place to be, The Sachem Public Library.

Her artistic talents were evident through her sketches on every envelope she mailed out, melted crayon drawings and the gorgeous detail work on her chocolate creations and cookie platters. She folded thousands of paper cranes during her years as Rainbow the Clown and beyond, amazing so many children when they saw that the birds truly flapped their wings. A world traveler, she captured her many journeys to China, Costa Rica, and the Canadian Rockies through her beautiful photography.

She lived with the intention to repair the world through her volunteering efforts. In different stages of her life, she could be seen giving of herself through work with the National Council of Jewish Women, ORT, Literacy Volunteers of America, the Long Island Traditional Folk Music Association and as an ESL Tutor. Throughout her life she devoted special care to serving the elderly community, making nursing home visits to perform guitar concerts, run holiday seders and Chanukah parties, and just spend time with the residents.

She will be incredibly missed by her large community of family and friends. Her devoted partner Sy Linger built a large blended family with her that shared many meaningful times together. She loved celebrating with her children Jason, Natasha, Kimberly, Ilia, Sandie, Hope, Bill, Lori, Don, Tina and Dona. Whether her grandchildren called her Grandma, Grammy or Joan, they all had a special bond with her: Liev, Rebecca, Laila, Lara, Tyler, Ben, Spencer, Grace, Kaila, Zach, Alex, and Shayna. She is survived by her cherished brother Alan and his wife Sarah, as well as, her chosen sisters through life: Susan, Regina, and Pauline. She will be remembered with love by her nieces, nephews and friends too numerous to count.

As she would end each of her sing-alongs, we would all like to say, “Good night lady, we’re sorry to see you go.”

Donations may be made in her memory to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital www.stjude.org or to the Sachem Public Library Honor and Memorial Books Program 150 Holbrook Road, Holbrook, NY 11741