Joan Alethea Gazis

Joan Alethea Gazis was born on May 20th, 1934, in Brooklyn New York to the late James and Marion Allen. She spent her early years on Putman Avenue, but later the family moved to 109 Pinegrove Street in Queens, New York. There, she attended Shimer Junior High School, and Woodrow Wilson High School. Joan was the oldest of seven siblings, the late Virginia Gail Alston, Robert Allen, Carl Allen, Lila Wallace, Elizabeth Hogan, and Hazel Chapman. Her last surviving sibling is Paula McCallum.

Later in life she met her late husband, Louis Gazis while working together at Swiss-O- Matic in Long Island City Queens. Their journey in finding each other was a true love story.

Their mutual love, respect and dedication for each other and family was truly remarkable.

Joan leaves behind two children, Gregory Brown and Denise Looper, whom she loved and cherished. She would beam with pride when she spoke of them, their adventures and journeys in life. Joan also leaves behind many friends, family and two devoted son-laws, Junior Sargeant and Lee Looper.

Joan loved life and met all its challenges head-on. In the early years she started working for Swiss-o-Matic, which manufactured components for the military. She started out as a machinist. But her ability to learn and adapt to changes in the industry resulted in her promotion to heading the inspection and quality control department. She worked 9 to10 hours a day, however she came home and put dinner on the table for her family, helped her children with their homework, then spent time talking about their day. But after they went to bed, she would take out a bag filled with work she brought home and continue working for two or three hours more before she went to bed. We admired her dedication to work. But it paled in comparison to her dedication to family, friends, students and church.

Joan was a remarkable woman, loving, caring, and unselfish in her journey through life. She always puts others first before her own needs. In 1980 Joan and her husband moved to Florida and she became a member of Mount Hermon Church. There, Joan became a Sunday school teacher, she would be glowing to meet her students with that million-dollar smile. She was always ready to pass on the teachings of the bible and life lessons.

She loved dancing, baking bread, cooking, traveling and new adventures. Every experience was a life lesson. I like to think this is why she had that million-dollar smile, because she enjoyed life so passionately that every moment good or bad was worth embracing.

It is said that angels walk among us every day and they are a precious gift. On Wednesday, April 30th at 4:30am the world lost a precious gift when Joan was called home. Her work here is done but It’s now within each of us to carry on her legacy.

Please join the visitation via zoom link if you are unable or out of town.

Join Zoom Meeting May 16, 2025 at 4:00pm Celebration of Life Visitation

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83626328385?pwd=02odSeNpsqMntlhOllVlwZLPbFQflt.1

Meeting ID: 836 2632 8385

Passcode: 6V8mPr

Join Zoom Meeting May 17, 2025 at 10am Funeral Service

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/84948812028?pwd=21vQzhcRyegKat7XxafJuZff9g5yKf.1

Meeting ID: 849 4881 2028

Passcode: cypGF0

A celebration of life visitation for Joan will be held Friday, May 16, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Babione - Kraeer Funeral Home and Cremat, 1100 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33432.